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Vocabulaire
administrativo/a

B1 adjective 10 min de lecture

administrativo/a

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces administrativo/a en 30 secondes

Explication administrativo/a in your Level:

At the A1 level, you only need to know that 'administrativo' relates to an office. You might learn it as a job title. For example, 'Él es administrativo' (He is an office worker). You should focus on the fact that it ends in 'o', so it changes to 'a' for a woman. It’s a useful word to know when talking about your job or where you work. You might see it on a door in a school or a hospital. Think of it as the 'office word'. Don't worry about complex legal meanings yet; just remember it means someone who works with papers and computers in a professional setting. You can use it in simple sentences like 'Mi hermano es administrativo' or 'Es un trabajo administrativo'. At this stage, just recognizing the word and knowing it's not 'manual labor' is enough. You will mostly use it to describe people or very simple things like 'una oficina administrativa'.

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At the A2 level, you start to use 'administrativo' as an adjective to describe more things. You can talk about 'tareas administrativas' (administrative tasks) like sending emails or filing papers. You should be comfortable with plural forms: 'los administrativos' (the administrative staff). You might use it when talking about your daily routine at work. 'En mi trabajo, hago muchas tareas administrativas'. You also begin to see it in the context of places, like 'el edificio administrativo'. It's important to start noticing the difference between the person (noun) and the description (adjective). You might also encounter it when dealing with basic 'papeleo' (paperwork). For example, if you are at a language school, you might need to go to the 'secretaría administrativa' to pay for your classes. You are building a vocabulary for the workplace, and this word is a key component of that.

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At the B1 level, 'administrativo' becomes a more precise tool. You use it to discuss 'trámites' (procedures or steps). You might say 'Hay muchos trámites administrativos para abrir un negocio'. You understand that 'administrativo' is often neutral, while 'burocrático' can be negative. You can talk about 'gestión administrativa' (administrative management) and use it in professional emails. You are expected to handle gender and number agreement perfectly now. You also start to see the word in news articles or more formal documents. For instance, you might read about an 'error administrativo' that caused a delay. You can also distinguish between an 'auxiliar administrativo' (assistant) and other office roles. This level is about using the word in contexts where you are solving problems or describing professional responsibilities in more detail. You might explain your job role: 'Soy responsable de la parte administrativa de la empresa'.

At the B2 level, you use 'administrativo' in complex professional and legal contexts. You understand terms like 'silencio administrativo' (where the government doesn't respond) or 'vía administrativa' (legal procedures within an agency). You can discuss the 'estructura administrativa' of a large corporation. You are able to use the word to compare different types of work, such as 'trabajo operativo' versus 'trabajo administrativo'. Your vocabulary is nuanced enough to use 'administrativo' to describe efficiency, reforms, and institutional frameworks. You might write a report about 'mejoras administrativas' (administrative improvements). You also understand that 'administrativo' can be a noun referring to a specific professional category in the Spanish civil service (funcionarios). At this level, you are not just using the word; you are understanding the systems it describes.

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At the C1 level, you have a deep understanding of 'Derecho Administrativo' (Administrative Law) and its implications. You can use the word in academic or highly technical legal discussions. You understand the nuances of 'actos administrativos' (administrative acts) and how they differ from other legal actions. You can speak fluently about 'la carrera administrativa' (the career path of civil servants) and the complexities of 'descentralización administrativa'. You use the word with precision in formal writing, perhaps analyzing the 'carga administrativa' on small businesses and proposing policy changes. You are comfortable with the word in all its registers, from complaining about 'trabas administrativas' in a sophisticated way to discussing the 'organigrama administrativo' of a multinational. You understand the historical and political weight the word carries in Spanish-speaking bureaucracies.

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At the C2 level, 'administrativo' is a word you manipulate with stylistic flair. You might use it metaphorically or in high-level critiques of state power and organizational theory. You understand the philosophical distinctions between 'administración' as a service and as a form of control. You can engage in debates about 'la simplificación administrativa' at a governmental level, using the term within a broad range of related legal and sociopolitical vocabulary. You recognize the word in classical literature or historical documents where it might have slightly different connotations. Your use of the word is indistinguishable from a highly educated native speaker, whether you are drafting a legal appeal based on an 'irregularidad administrativa' or giving a keynote speech on 'innovación administrativa'. The word is no longer just a vocabulary item; it is a concept you can analyze from multiple perspectives.

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Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

administrativo/a en 30 secondes

Relates to management, office work, and government procedures.
Functions as both an adjective (administrative) and a noun (clerk).
Essential for professional, legal, and bureaucratic contexts in Spanish.
Requires gender agreement: administrativo (masc) and administrativa (fem).

The Spanish word administrativo (or administrativa when feminine) is a versatile term that primarily functions as an adjective, though it is frequently used as a noun. At its core, it refers to anything related to the management, organization, or 'running' of an entity, be it a small business, a massive corporation, or a government body. When you hear this word, think of the 'behind-the-scenes' work: the paperwork, the scheduling, the legal compliance, and the organizational structures that keep a system functioning smoothly. For English speakers, it translates directly to 'administrative' or 'clerical'.

Core Meaning: Relating to the execution of management tasks or the internal organization of a system.
Noun Usage: In many contexts, 'un administrativo' refers to an administrative worker or office clerk.

In a corporate environment, administrativo describes the tasks that aren't necessarily related to the creative or technical production but are essential for the business's existence. For example, 'gestión administrativa' covers payroll, billing, and record-keeping. In the public sector, the term takes on a more formal, bureaucratic weight. 'Derecho administrativo' (Administrative Law) is a massive field in Spanish-speaking countries that governs how the state interacts with its citizens through various agencies and procedures.

El director está revisando un informe administrativo muy importante.

The word is common in job titles. An 'Asistente Administrativo' is a standard entry-level or mid-level role. However, unlike in English where 'admin' is often shorthand, in Spanish, you must always maintain the full word or use accepted professional abbreviations like 'Admin.' in written documents. The gender of the word is crucial; if you are talking about a female office worker, she is 'una administrativa'. If you are talking about a masculine process, it is 'un proceso administrativo'.

Trabajo en el departamento administrativo de la universidad.

Historically, the term comes from the Latin 'administrare', meaning 'to serve' or 'to manage'. This dual sense of service and management is still felt today. In modern usage, it can sometimes carry a slightly negative connotation of being 'too bureaucratic' or 'dry', especially when used in phrases like 'trabas administrativas' (administrative hurdles). However, in a professional setting, it remains a neutral and necessary descriptor for a vast array of organizational functions.

Common Contexts: Human Resources, Accounting, Government Agencies, School Offices, and Legal Departments.

Necesitamos agilizar los trámites administrativos para la visa.

In summary, whether you are filling out forms at a consulate, applying for a job in an office, or studying the law, administrativo is a word you will encounter daily. It bridges the gap between simple office tasks and the complex legal frameworks that govern modern society.

Using administrativo/a correctly requires attention to two main things: whether you are using it as an adjective or a noun, and ensuring gender and number agreement. Since it ends in '-o', it follows the standard pattern of changing to '-a' for feminine nouns and adding '-s' for plurals.

As an Adjective: It must match the noun it describes. 'Un error administrativo' (masculine singular), 'Una tarea administrativa' (feminine singular), 'Unos procesos administrativos' (masculine plural), 'Unas reformas administrativas' (feminine plural).

La secretaria se encarga de la parte administrativa del negocio.

When used as a noun, 'un administrativo' or 'una administrativa' refers to a person. This is very common in Spain. Instead of saying 'He is an office worker,' you might say 'Él es administrativo.' Note that when stating a profession, Spanish often omits the indefinite article 'un/una' unless you are adding an adjective (e.g., 'Él es un administrativo excelente').

Placement: As an adjective, it almost always follows the noun. You would rarely say 'el administrativo proceso'; it is always 'el proceso administrativo'.

Los administrativos de la empresa están en huelga.

In more advanced contexts, like legal or governmental speech, you will see it paired with abstract nouns. 'Silencio administrativo' is a key phrase meaning the government's failure to respond to a request within the legal timeframe, which usually has specific legal consequences. 'Vía administrativa' refers to the process of resolving a dispute through government channels before going to a court of law.

No podemos avanzar sin el permiso administrativo correspondiente.

Finally, consider the plural usage in collective groups. 'El personal administrativo' is a singular collective noun phrase that refers to all the administrative staff. It is a very professional way to refer to the office team. If you are writing a CV (Curriculum Vitae), you might list your 'habilidades administrativas' (administrative skills), such as 'gestión de archivos' or 'atención telefónica'.

Ella tiene mucha experiencia en tareas administrativas.

Professional Tip: When talking about the department, use 'el Departamento Administrativo' or 'Administración'. Both are understood, but the former is more specific to the function.

The word administrativo/a is ubiquitous in the Spanish-speaking professional world. If you walk into any 'Ayuntamiento' (City Hall) in Spain or a 'Secretaría' in Mexico, you are in the heart of the mundo administrativo. You will hear it in news reports concerning government reforms, in office corridors during discussions about paperwork, and in job interviews.

In the News: Journalists often talk about 'reforma administrativa' or 'caos administrativo' when discussing how the government is functioning or failing.

El gobierno anunció una nueva ley para simplificar los trámites administrativos.

In a corporate setting, employees often complain about the 'carga administrativa' (administrative load). This refers to the time spent on emails, reports, and data entry that takes them away from their primary tasks. You'll hear managers saying, 'Necesitamos un perfil más administrativo para este puesto,' meaning they need someone organized and good with details rather than a creative or sales-oriented person.

Another common place is in education. Universities have an 'edificio administrativo' where students go to enroll, pay tuition, or get transcripts. If you are a student, you'll frequently hear about 'plazos administrativos' (administrative deadlines), which are the strict dates by which you must submit forms.

Debes ir al pabellón administrativo para recoger tu carné.

In legal contexts, 'Derecho Administrativo' is a subject every law student must master. It’s the branch of law that deals with the organization, powers, and duties of administrative agencies. If you ever have a dispute with a local council over a building permit or a parking fine, you are entering a 'procedimiento administrativo'.

Everyday Phrases: 'Cuestiones administrativas' (administrative matters), 'Auxiliar administrativo' (administrative assistant), 'Sede administrativa' (administrative headquarters).

Hubo un retraso administrativo en el procesamiento de tu solicitud.

Finally, in the world of sports, you might hear about 'descenso administrativo'. This happens when a team is relegated not because they lost games, but because of financial irregularities or failing to meet 'requisitos administrativos'. It’s a term that strikes fear into the hearts of fans!

For English speakers, the word administrativo seems like a perfect cognate, but there are several pitfalls to avoid. The most common mistake is failing to apply gender agreement. English 'administrative' is gender-neutral, but Spanish is not.

Agreement Error: Incorrect: 'La gestión administrativo'. Correct: 'La gestión administrativa'. Because 'gestión' is feminine, the adjective must match.

Cometí un error administrativo al rellenar el formulario.

Another mistake is confusing 'administrativo' with 'administrador'. An administrativo is usually a clerk or a staff member who carries out tasks. An administrador is a manager, a director, or someone with decision-making power. If you are applying for a management role, don't say you want to be an 'administrativo' unless you want a clerical position.

English speakers also tend to overuse the word 'oficina' (office) when 'administrativo' would be more precise. Instead of saying 'trabajo de oficina' (office work), which is a bit generic, use 'tareas administrativas' (administrative tasks) to sound more professional and native-like.

False Friend Alert: While 'administration' is 'administración', don't use 'administrativo' to mean 'the administration' (like the Biden Administration). In that case, use 'el gobierno' or 'la administración de [Nombre]'.

Ella trabaja como auxiliar administrativa en el hospital.

Also, be careful with the word 'oficinista'. While it means 'office worker', it can sometimes feel a bit dated or overly simple. 'Administrativo' is the standard term used in job contracts and official descriptions. Finally, remember that 'administrativo' is an adjective, so it needs a noun to modify, or it functions as a noun itself. Don't say 'Es muy administrativo' to mean 'He is very organized'; instead say 'Es muy organizado' or 'Tiene mucha capacidad administrativa'.

El consejo administrativo se reúne los lunes.

While administrativo is the most common term for management-related tasks, several other words can be used depending on the nuance you want to convey. Understanding these alternatives will help you sound more precise and sophisticated in your Spanish communication.

Burocrático: This is often the 'evil twin' of administrativo. While 'administrativo' is neutral, 'burocrático' usually implies that a process is unnecessarily slow, complicated, or rigid.
Ejecutivo: This refers to the 'doing' or 'executive' side. While administrative work is about organization, executive work is about making decisions and carrying them out.

El trámite fue puramente administrativo, sin complicaciones.

Another close relative is gestor. A 'gestor' is someone who manages or facilitates processes, often specifically legal or financial ones. In Spain, a 'gestoría' is an office you pay to handle your 'trámites administrativos'. While an 'administrativo' might work inside a company, a 'gestor' is often an external professional who knows the ins and outs of the system.

In a legal sense, you might use reglamentario. This means 'according to the regulations'. While 'administrativo' describes the field, 'reglamentario' describes the strict adherence to the rules within that field. For example, 'un paso reglamentario' is a step required by the rules.

Comparison: Administrativo vs. De Oficina: 'De oficina' is informal and descriptive of location. 'Administrativo' is formal and descriptive of function. You have 'material de oficina' (office supplies) but 'personal administrativo' (administrative staff).

Buscamos a alguien con un perfil administrativo y contable.

Finally, for more senior roles, look at gerencial (managerial) or directivo (directive/managerial). These words elevate the status of the work. While an 'asistente administrativo' handles the files, a 'gerente' or 'director' handles the 'gestión administrativa' at a strategic level. Using the right word shows you understand the hierarchy of the Spanish-speaking workplace.

La eficiencia administrativa es clave para el éxito.

How Formal Is It?

Le savais-tu ?

The root 'minister' in 'administrare' actually means 'servant'. So, originally, being administrative meant being a high-level servant of the state or an organization.

Guide de prononciation

UK /ad.mi.nis.tɾa.ˈti.βo/

US /ad.mi.nis.tɾa.ˈti.βo/

Penultimate syllable (ti).

Rime avec

objetivo activo festivo motivo positivo creativo nativo cultivo

Erreurs fréquentes

Stressing the 'tra' instead of the 'ti'.
Pronouncing the 'v' like an English 'v' (it should be a soft 'b' sound).
Making the 'd' too hard or explosive.
Forgetting to change the ending to 'a' for feminine nouns.
Adding an 'e' before 's' in the middle (adminis-E-trativo).

Niveau de difficulté

Lecture 2/5

Easy to recognize because it looks like the English word 'administrative'.

Écriture 3/5

Requires careful attention to gender agreement (o/a) and the 'istrativo' spelling.

Expression orale 4/5

Long word with five syllables; requires practice for fluid pronunciation.

Écoute 2/5

Clear pronunciation, usually easy to pick out in professional speech.

Quoi apprendre ensuite

Prérequis

oficina trabajo papel empresa gestión

Apprends ensuite

burocracia trámite expediente funcionario gerente

Avancé

jurisdicción contencioso potestad arbitrariedad silencio administrativo

Grammaire à connaître

Adjective-Noun Agreement

La tarea (fem) administrativa (fem).

Noun Gender for Professions

El administrativo (male worker), La administrativa (female worker).

Omission of Articles in Professions

Él es administrativo (No 'un' needed).

Pluralization of Adjectives

Los procesos administrativos (Add 's').

Placement of Adjectives

El error administrativo (Usually after the noun).

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Exemples par niveau

Él es un buen administrativo.

He is a good administrative worker.

Noun usage: 'un administrativo'.

La oficina es muy administrativa.

The office is very administrative.

Adjective matching feminine 'oficina'.

Tengo un trabajo administrativo.

I have an administrative job.

Adjective matching masculine 'trabajo'.

Ella es administrativa en el colegio.

She is an administrative worker at the school.

Noun usage: feminine 'administrativa'.

El papel es administrativo.

The paper is administrative.

Simple adjective usage.

¿Dónde está el bloque administrativo?

Where is the administrative block?

Adjective modifying 'bloque'.

Ellos son administrativos.

They are administrative workers.

Plural noun usage.

Es una tarea administrativa simple.

It is a simple administrative task.

Adjective matching feminine 'tarea'.

Hago muchas tareas administrativas cada día.

I do many administrative tasks every day.

Plural feminine agreement.

El personal administrativo es amable.

The administrative staff is kind.

Collective noun phrase.

Necesito ayuda con este proceso administrativo.

I need help with this administrative process.

Adjective modifying 'proceso'.

Mi madre trabaja en el área administrativa.

My mother works in the administrative area.

Adjective matching feminine 'área'.

Los administrativos tienen una reunión ahora.

The administrative workers have a meeting now.

Plural noun as subject.

Buscamos una secretaria con perfil administrativo.

We are looking for a secretary with an administrative profile.

Adjective modifying 'perfil'.

El error administrativo fue pequeño.

The administrative error was small.

Common collocation 'error administrativo'.

Ella prefiere el trabajo administrativo.

She prefers administrative work.

Direct object with adjective.

Debemos agilizar los trámites administrativos.

We must speed up the administrative procedures.

Plural masculine agreement.

La gestión administrativa de la empresa es eficiente.

The administrative management of the company is efficient.

Collocation 'gestión administrativa'.

Hubo un problema administrativo con mi contrato.

There was an administrative problem with my contract.

Adjective modifying 'problema'.

Ella es auxiliar administrativa en una clínica.

She is an administrative assistant in a clinic.

Professional title.

El departamento administrativo está en la segunda planta.

The administrative department is on the second floor.

Specific department name.

No me gusta la carga administrativa de mi puesto.

I don't like the administrative load of my position.

Abstract noun phrase.

El consejo administrativo tomó una decisión ayer.

The administrative board made a decision yesterday.

Refers to the board of directors/management.

Es necesario cumplir con los requisitos administrativos.

It is necessary to comply with the administrative requirements.

Formal requirement context.

La reforma administrativa busca reducir la burocracia.

The administrative reform seeks to reduce bureaucracy.

Political/Structural context.

El silencio administrativo puede ser positivo o negativo.

Administrative silence can be positive or negative.

Specific legal concept.

Se inició un expediente administrativo contra la empresa.

An administrative file/proceeding was started against the company.

Legal/Bureaucratic term 'expediente'.

La vía administrativa es el primer paso para reclamar.

The administrative route is the first step to claim.

Legal procedure context.

El personal administrativo recibió una formación especial.

The administrative staff received special training.

Collective noun phrase.

Existe una gran descentralización administrativa en el país.

There is a great administrative decentralization in the country.

Political/Geographical context.

El acto administrativo fue anulado por el juez.

The administrative act was annulled by the judge.

Technical legal term.

La eficiencia administrativa ahorra millones al estado.

Administrative efficiency saves millions for the state.

Economic impact context.

La jurisprudencia administrativa ha evolucionado este año.

Administrative case law has evolved this year.

High-level legal terminology.

El recurso de alzada agota la vía administrativa.

The 'recurso de alzada' exhausts the administrative route.

Specific Spanish legal procedure.

Se cuestiona la potestad administrativa en este caso.

The administrative power is questioned in this case.

Abstract legal concept 'potestad'.

La discrecionalidad administrativa no es arbitrariedad.

Administrative discretion is not arbitrariness.

Philosophical/Legal distinction.

El funcionario pertenece al cuerpo administrativo del Estado.

The civil servant belongs to the State's administrative body.

Specific career category.

La simplificación administrativa es un reto para la modernización.

Administrative simplification is a challenge for modernization.

Policy discussion context.

Hubo una desviación de poder en el acto administrativo.

There was a misuse of power in the administrative act.

Technical legal violation.

El derecho administrativo sancionador es muy riguroso.

Punitive administrative law is very rigorous.

Sub-field of law.

La ontología del hecho administrativo es compleja.

The ontology of the administrative fact is complex.

Philosophical academic usage.

El leviatán administrativo consume la iniciativa privada.

The administrative leviathan consumes private initiative.

Metaphorical/Political critique.

Se analizan los paradigmas de la gestión administrativa moderna.

The paradigms of modern administrative management are analyzed.

High-level academic research context.

La hermenéutica aplicada a los textos administrativos es vital.

Hermeneutics applied to administrative texts is vital.

Advanced linguistic/legal analysis.

La hipertrofia administrativa lastra el crecimiento económico.

Administrative hypertrophy hinders economic growth.

Advanced metaphorical medical term.

La responsabilidad patrimonial de la administración es un pilar.

The state's liability for damages is a pillar.

Fundamental legal doctrine.

El procedimiento administrativo común es la garantía del ciudadano.

The common administrative procedure is the citizen's guarantee.

Constitutional/Legal principle.

Se observa una metamorfosis en la estructura administrativa global.

A metamorphosis is observed in the global administrative structure.

High-level social observation.

Collocations courantes

gestión administrativa

error administrativo

personal administrativo

trámite administrativo

silencio administrativo

vía administrativa

auxiliar administrativo

consejo administrativo

reforma administrativa

archivo administrativo

Phrases Courantes

Por causas administrativas

— Used to explain delays or changes due to office procedures.

El vuelo se retrasó por causas administrativas.

Carga administrativa

— The amount of paperwork or management tasks one has to do.

Tengo demasiada carga administrativa este mes.

Perfil administrativo

— A set of skills suitable for office and management work.

Buscamos a alguien con perfil administrativo.

Derecho administrativo

— The branch of law dealing with government agencies.

Estudio derecho administrativo en la universidad.

Trabas administrativas

— Hurdles or obstacles caused by bureaucracy.

Hay muchas trabas administrativas para abrir el local.

Sede administrativa

— The main office or headquarters where management happens.

La sede administrativa está en Madrid.

Plazo administrativo

— The legal or official deadline for a procedure.

El plazo administrativo termina mañana.

Expediente administrativo

— The official file or record of a case or person.

Tu expediente administrativo está completo.

Resolución administrativa

— The final decision made by an administrative body.

Esperamos la resolución administrativa del caso.

Unidad administrativa

— A specific section or office within a larger organization.

Dirijo la unidad administrativa de salud.

Souvent confondu avec

administrativo/a vs Administrador

An 'administrador' is a manager or boss; an 'administrativo' is a clerical worker or describes the work itself.

administrativo/a vs Secretario

A 'secretario' is a specific role; 'administrativo' is a broader category of office work.

administrativo/a vs Ejecutivo

An 'ejecutivo' makes decisions; an 'administrativo' often processes the results of those decisions.

Expressions idiomatiques

"Papeleo administrativo"

— Informal way to refer to excessive or boring paperwork.

Estoy harto de tanto papeleo administrativo.

Informal

"Hacer carrera administrativa"

— To progress through the ranks of the civil service.

Mi tío hizo carrera administrativa en el ministerio.

Neutral

"Ventanilla administrativa"

— Refers to the physical or metaphorical place where you deal with bureaucracy.

Me pasé el día de ventanilla en ventanilla administrativa.

Informal

"Laberinto administrativo"

— Describes a very complex and confusing bureaucratic process.

Entramos en un laberinto administrativo sin salida.

Informal/Literary

"Freno administrativo"

— Something that slows down progress due to rules or management.

La falta de presupuesto es un freno administrativo.

Neutral

"Mano administrativa"

— The influence or management style of an administrator.

Se nota la mano administrativa del nuevo director.

Neutral

"Vacío administrativo"

— A situation where there are no clear rules or management.

Hay un vacío administrativo en esta nueva ley.

Formal

"Pulso administrativo"

— A conflict or test of will between different administrative bodies.

Hay un pulso administrativo entre el ayuntamiento y el estado.

Journalistic

"Parálisis administrativa"

— When an organization stops functioning due to bureaucratic issues.

La huelga causó una parálisis administrativa total.

Neutral

"Arquitectura administrativa"

— The structural design of an organization's management.

Debemos rediseñar la arquitectura administrativa de la empresa.

Formal

Facile à confondre

administrativo/a vs Administración

Noun vs Adjective.

'Administración' is the department or the act of managing. 'Administrativo' is the adjective describing the nature of the work.

Trabajo en la administración (department) haciendo trabajo administrativo (nature).

administrativo/a vs Gestión

Often used interchangeably.

'Gestión' is the broader act of managing or facilitating. 'Administrativo' is more specific to office and legal procedures.

La gestión de proyectos incluye tareas administrativas.

administrativo/a vs Burocracia

Related to government.

'Burocracia' is the system of rules. 'Administrativo' is the adjective for the work within that system.

La burocracia estatal requiere muchos pasos administrativos.

administrativo/a vs Oficinista

Both refer to office workers.

'Oficinista' is more generic and slightly old-fashioned. 'Administrativo' is the professional and modern term.

Es un administrativo muy eficiente.

administrativo/a vs Funcionario

Both work for the government.

A 'funcionario' is any government employee (can be a cop or teacher). An 'administrativo' is a specific role involving office work.

El funcionario de la ventanilla es un administrativo.

Structures de phrases

Yo soy [administrativo/a].

Yo soy administrativa.

Tengo que hacer [tareas administrativas].

Tengo que hacer tareas administrativas.

Hay un [error administrativo] en el documento.

Hay un error administrativo en el documento.

El [trámite administrativo] es muy lento.

El trámite administrativo es muy lento.

Se agotó la [vía administrativa] sin éxito.

Se agotó la vía administrativa sin éxito.

La [hipertrofia administrativa] impide el desarrollo.

La hipertrofia administrativa impide el desarrollo.

Trabajo en el [departamento administrativo].

Trabajo en el departamento administrativo.

Busco un [empleo administrativo].

Busco un empleo administrativo.

Famille de mots

Noms

administración

administrador

administradora

administrativo

administrativa

Verbes

administrar

Adjectifs

administrativo

administrativa

administrable

administrado

Apparenté

gestión

gerencia

burocracia

oficina

trámite

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Comment l'utiliser

frequency

High in professional and government-related speech.

Erreurs courantes

La proceso administrativo. → El proceso administrativo.
'Proceso' is masculine, so it needs 'el' and 'administrativo'.
Soy un administrativo. → Soy administrativo.
When stating your profession, don't use the indefinite article 'un' unless you add an adjective.
Hago trabajos administrativos. → Hago tareas administrativas.
While 'trabajos' is okay, 'tareas' is the more natural collocation for office tasks.
El administrativo de Biden. → La administración de Biden.
'Administrativo' is an adjective or a person. For a government term, use 'administración'.
Es muy administrativo. → Es muy organizado.
Don't use 'administrativo' to describe a person's personality trait; use 'organizado'.

Astuces

Check Agreement

Always match the ending (-o/-a) with the noun. 'La reforma administrativa' (fem) but 'El error administrativo' (masc).

Professionalism

Use 'administrativo' instead of 'oficinista' to sound more professional in a business setting.

The 'TI' Factor

Ensure you stress the 'ti' syllable clearly: ad-mi-nis-tra-TI-vo.

Department Names

When looking for the admin office, ask for 'el departamento administrativo' or simply 'administración'.

CV Keywords

Include 'habilidades administrativas' in your Spanish CV to highlight your organizational skills.

Legal Terms

Learn the phrase 'silencio administrativo'; it's vital if you deal with Spanish government agencies.

Formal Closings

In formal emails, you can mention 'trámites administrativos' to explain why a process is taking time.

Respect the Staff

In many cultures, the 'administrativo' is the person who actually makes things happen. Be polite!

Look for Roots

If you see 'admin-', it almost always relates to management. This helps you guess the meaning of related words.

Word Family

Learn 'administrar' (verb) and 'administración' (noun) alongside 'administrativo' to master the whole concept.

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Think of an 'Admin' (administrative) person who is 'Strative' (straightening) out the office. They keep everything in a straight line.

Association visuelle

Imagine a giant mountain of papers being organized into neat, colorful folders by a person in a suit.

Word Web

Oficina Papeles Gestión Trámites Orden Empresa Gobierno Personal

Défi

Try to find three things in your house that require 'gestión administrativa' (like bills or taxes) and name them in Spanish.

Origine du mot

From the Latin 'administrativus', which comes from the verb 'administrare'.

Sens originel : To serve, to manage, or to help.

Romance (Latin root).

Contexte culturel

Be respectful when referring to administrative staff in government offices; they have significant procedural power.

In the US/UK, 'admin' is often seen as a support role. In Spain, an 'administrativo' can be a high-ranking career official.

Mariano José de Larra's 'Vuelva usted mañana' (classic critique of bureaucracy). The comic 'Mortadelo y Filemón' often features the 'Súper' in an administrative/managerial role. The TV show 'Camera Café' (Spanish version) focuses entirely on the life of 'administrativos'.

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

At the Office

¿Dónde está el archivo administrativo?
Necesito el informe administrativo.
Soy el nuevo administrativo.
Hago tareas administrativas.

Government / Law

Es un trámite administrativo.
Agotar la vía administrativa.
Derecho administrativo.
Silencio administrativo.

Job Hunting

Perfil administrativo.
Experiencia administrativa.
Auxiliar administrativo.
Habilidades administrativas.

Education

Edificio administrativo.
Personal administrativo.
Plazo administrativo.
Gestión administrativa escolar.

Healthcare

Admisión administrativa.
Trámites administrativos del seguro.
Área administrativa del hospital.
Datos administrativos.

Amorces de conversation

"¿Qué tipo de tareas administrativas haces en tu trabajo diario?"

"¿Crees que hay demasiada carga administrativa en el sistema de salud?"

"¿Alguna vez has tenido un problema por un error administrativo?"

"¿Te gustaría trabajar como administrativo en una gran empresa?"

"¿Qué habilidades administrativas crees que son las más importantes hoy en día?"

Sujets d'écriture

Describe un día típico en un puesto administrativo. ¿Qué retos enfrentarías?

Escribe sobre una experiencia frustrante con un trámite administrativo en tu país.

¿Cómo crees que la tecnología cambiará el trabajo administrativo en el futuro?

Explica por qué la eficiencia administrativa es importante para una sociedad justa.

Imagina que eres el jefe administrativo de una escuela. ¿Qué reglas pondrías?

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

La diferencia es el género. 'Administrativo' se usa para hombres o conceptos masculinos (el proceso administrativo). 'Administrativa' se usa para mujeres o conceptos femeninos (la tarea administrativa). Es una regla básica de concordancia en español.

Sí, es muy común. 'Él es un administrativo' significa que trabaja en una oficina realizando tareas de gestión o papeleo. En España, es el término estándar para este tipo de profesional.

Es un concepto legal. Ocurre cuando la administración pública no responde a una solicitud de un ciudadano en el plazo legal. Dependiendo de la ley, ese silencio puede significar que la petición ha sido aceptada (positivo) o rechazada (negativo).

No exactamente. Un secretario suele trabajar para una persona específica, mientras que un administrativo trabaja para un departamento o realiza tareas generales de oficina. 'Administrativo' es un término más amplio y profesional.

Se dice 'auxiliar administrativo' o 'asistente administrativo'. 'Auxiliar' es el término más común en ofertas de empleo y documentos oficiales en España.

Es una palabra neutral-formal. Se usa tanto en el lenguaje cotidiano de oficina como en documentos legales y académicos muy serios. No es una palabra vulgar ni excesivamente técnica.

Se refiere al conjunto de pasos y recursos que se pueden interponer ante la propia administración pública antes de tener que acudir a los tribunales de justicia.

El plural es 'administrativos' para el masculino y 'administrativas' para el femenino. Si el grupo es mixto, se usa el masculino plural: 'los administrativos'.

No, 'administrativo' no lleva tilde porque es una palabra llana terminada en vocal y el acento recae en la penúltima sílaba (ti).

Suelen incluir organización, manejo de software de oficina (como Excel), atención al cliente, gestión de archivos y conocimiento de normativas legales o internas.

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