Public services are the institutions that meet the common needs of the city and the state. The terms la oficina, el edificio, el empleado público and el funcionario are used when a person works for a public institution. In daily life, words such as servicio, trámite, solicitud and documento appear. A person goes to la oficina de correos, al hospital, al ayuntamiento or a la comisaría to resolve a specific matter. Atención al público is also used for the treatment people receive at a service window or counter. When someone needs help, they usually say necesito información or tengo que hacer un trámite. The basic vocabulary revolves around places, people and procedures that operate for the entire community.

The ayuntamiento is the city government. In many countries, alcaldía is also used, and the main person is the alcalde or la alcaldesa. Concejales and other funcionarios municipales work alongside them. These terms appear when a person asks for permission, pays a local tax or asks about a city service. The departamento or oficina municipal may handle garbage, street lighting, construction or civil registration. One says ir al ayuntamiento to complete a procedure, presentar un formulario or solicitar una licencia. If the matter concerns the city, the normal place to resolve it is the municipal administration.

alcaldíaservicio municipalayuntamientoconcejaloficina de atenciónalcaldesaalcaldemunicipiotrámitevecindario

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Es la parte de la ciudad donde vive la genteEs la zona administrada por un gobierno localEs la persona que participa en las decisiones locales del municipioEs la oficina donde ayudan al público con gestiones y preguntasEs un paso formal para conseguir un permiso o servicioEs la mujer que dirige el ayuntamiento de una ciudad o puebloEs la oficina o cargo de la autoridad localEs la institución que gobierna la ciudad y organiza muchos servicios localesEs la persona que dirige el ayuntamiento de una ciudad o puebloEs un servicio que ofrece el gobierno de la ciudad

Vocabulary of local government and offices

Word	Definition
ayuntamiento	It is the institution that governs the city and organizes many local services.
alcalde	It is the person who leads the city council of a city or town.
alcaldesa	She is the woman who leads the city council of a city or town.
concejal	It is the person who participates in local decisions of the municipality.
municipio	It is the area administered by a local government.
alcaldía	It is the office or position of the local authority.
trámite	It is a formal step to obtain a permit or service.
vecindario	It is the part of the city where people live.
servicio municipal	It is a service offered by the city government.
oficina de atención	It is the office where they help the public with procedures and questions.

Scramble

The post office is used to send and receive letters, packages and documents. Enviar means to send something to another person, and recibir means to obtain it. The cartero or la cartera delivers the mail at home or at work. Correo is also used to talk about the service in general, as in la oficina de correos or el servicio de correo. A carta is a message on paper, and a paquete is a larger shipment. When a person goes to the service window, they can recoger un paquete, mandar una carta or preguntar por un envío. In many areas, buzón is also used for the place where mail is left before being delivered.

recogeroficina de correosremitentepaquetecartasellocorreobuzóncarterodestinatario

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Significa ir a buscar algo que han guardado para tiEs la persona que recibe una carta o un paqueteEs el servicio que envía y recibe cartas y paquetesEs la caja donde se dejan o reciben cartasEs la marca o pegatina que paga el envío de una cartaEs la persona que reparte la correspondenciaEs un objeto envuelto que se envía por correoEs un mensaje escrito que se manda por correoEs la persona que envía una carta o un paqueteEs el lugar donde se hacen gestiones postales

Vocabulary of mail and correspondence

Word	Definition
correo	It is the service that sends and receives letters and packages.
cartero	It is the person who delivers correspondence.
carta	It is a written message sent by mail.
paquete	It is a wrapped object sent by mail.
buzón	It is the box where letters are left or received.
sello	It is the mark or sticker that pays for the shipment of a letter.
remitente	It is the person who sends a letter or package.
destinatario	It is the person who receives a letter or package.
oficina de correos	It is the place where postal procedures are handled.
recoger	It means to go get something that has been kept for you.

Scramble

The policía protects public order and helps in dangerous situations. An agente or una agente de policía works on the streets, and the comisaría is the building where reports are filed or help is requested. The word denuncia is used when a person reports a theft, an assault or an important loss. In an emergency, the police are called to explain what is happening and provide the address. Words such as seguridad, patrulla and detener also appear in contexts of control and protection. If someone says hay un robo or necesito ayuda, the police can intervene. In a formal procedure, the person can poner una denuncia or hacer una declaración.

denunciaemergenciapatrullaseguridadpolicíacomisaríatestigoayudaagenterobo

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Es la asistencia que se pide en una situación difícilEs la acción de tomar algo sin permisoEs la comunicación oficial de un problema o delitoEs el vehículo o grupo que vigila una zonaEs la condición de estar protegido y sin peligroEs la fuerza que mantiene el orden y la seguridadEs la oficina donde trabaja la policíaEs la persona que trabaja en la policíaEs una situación urgente que necesita atención inmediataEs la persona que vio un hecho y puede contarlo

Vocabulary of security and police

Word	Definition
policía	It is the force that maintains order and safety.
agente	It is the person who works in the police force.
comisaría	It is the office where the police work.
denuncia	It is the official communication of a problem or crime.
ayuda	It is the assistance requested in a difficult situation.
emergencia	It is an urgent situation that needs immediate attention.
seguridad	It is the condition of being protected and out of danger.
testigo	It is the person who saw an event and can describe it.
robo	It is the act of taking something without permission.
patrulla	It is the vehicle or group that watches an area.

Scramble

The hospital treats illnesses, accidents and operations. The centro de salud or la clínica pública usually handles general consultations, vaccinations and basic checkups. The médico or la médica examines the patient, and enfermeros, enfermeras and personal sanitario also work there. The word paciente refers to the person receiving care. Cita is used for the scheduled time with a professional, and urgencias for cases that need immediate attention. When someone feels ill, they can say tengo fiebre, me duele la cabeza or necesito un médico. In the public system, people go to the health center for regular consultations and to the hospital when the case is more serious.

recetavacunaenfermeracitamédicaconsultahospitalcentro de saludmédicourgencias

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Es el servicio para problemas médicos que no pueden esperarEs el lugar donde se atienden consultas médicas básicasEs el centro donde atienden enfermedades y urgenciasEs una inyección que ayuda a prevenir enfermedadesEs la indicación escrita de un medicamento o tratamientoEs la mujer que cuida la salud y trata enfermedadesEs la persona que cuida la salud y trata enfermedadesEs la hora reservada para recibir atenciónEs la persona que ayuda en la atención sanitariaEs la visita o cita para ver a un profesional de salud

Vocabulary of public medical care

Word	Definition
hospital	It is the center where illnesses and emergencies are treated.
centro de salud	It is the place where basic medical consultations are handled.
médico	It is the person who cares for health and treats illnesses.
médica	She is the woman who cares for health and treats illnesses.
enfermera	It is the person who helps with health care.
consulta	It is the visit or appointment to see a health professional.
cita	It is the reserved time to receive care.
urgencias	It is the service for medical problems that cannot wait.
receta	It is the written instruction for a medication or treatment.
vacuna	It is an injection that helps prevent illnesses.

Scramble

Bomberos put out fires and respond to dangerous emergencies. The estación de bomberos is the place where they work and keep their vehicles and equipment. Rescate is also used when a person or an animal needs to be removed from a dangerous place. In an emergency, firefighters may arrive with a sirena and a camión de bomberos. Words such as incendio, humo, fuego and evacuación are used to describe the situation. If there is danger in a building, people call the firefighters and leave the place quickly. The vocabulary in this area is used in accidents, gas leaks, floods and other dangerous situations.

bomberarescatecamión de bomberosalarmabomberomangueraevacuaciónincendiocuartelsirena

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Es la salida ordenada de un lugar por seguridadEs la persona que apaga incendios y ayuda en rescatesEs la acción de sacar a alguien de una situación peligrosaEs la mujer que apaga incendios y ayuda en rescatesEs el vehículo que usan los bomberos para emergenciasEs un fuego grande que causa peligro o dañosEs la sede donde trabajan los bomberosEs la tubería flexible que lleva agua para apagar fuegoEs un sonido o sistema que avisa de un peligroEs el sonido fuerte que avisa de una emergencia

Vocabulary of fires and rescue

Word	Definition
bombero	It is the person who puts out fires and helps with rescues.
bombera	She is the woman who puts out fires and helps with rescues.
cuartel	It is the headquarters where firefighters work.
incendio	It is a large fire that causes danger or damage.
rescate	It is the act of getting someone out of a dangerous situation.
manguera	It is the flexible pipe that carries water to put out a fire.
alarma	It is a sound or system that warns of danger.
evacuación	It is the orderly exit from a place for safety.
camión de bomberos	It is the vehicle firefighters use for emergencies.
sirena	It is the loud sound that warns of an emergency.

Scramble

The juzgado is the place where legal cases are resolved and justice decisions are administered. The juez or la jueza directs the proceedings, and the abogado or la abogada defends or advises a person. Fiscal, testigo and acusado also appear in a trial. The word juicio is used for the formal process before the court. A person may presentar una demanda, recibir una citación or declarar before the judge. Legal vocabulary includes caso, prueba and sentencia. When someone has a legal problem, they usually speak with a lawyer before going to the courthouse or during the proceedings.

abogadojuzgadojuezpruebadeclaracióncasosentenciatribunalabogadajuicio

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Es la explicación formal de lo que una persona sabeEs la persona que toma decisiones en un juicioEs la persona que da consejo y defensa legalEs el lugar donde se resuelven asuntos legalesEs la mujer que da consejo y defensa legalEs el grupo de jueces o la sala donde juzganEs el asunto legal o problema que se estudiaEs el proceso legal donde un caso se examinaEs la decisión final del juez o del tribunalEs el dato o documento que ayuda a demostrar algo

Basic vocabulary of justice and trial

Word	Definition
juzgado	It is the place where legal matters are resolved.
abogado	It is the person who gives legal advice and defense.
abogada	She is the woman who gives legal advice and defense.
juicio	It is the legal process where a case is examined.
caso	It is the legal matter or problem being studied.
declaración	It is the formal explanation of what a person knows.
juez	It is the person who makes decisions in a trial.
prueba	It is the information or document that helps prove something.
sentencia	It is the final decision of the judge or court.
tribunal	It is the group of judges or the room where they judge.

Scramble

The biblioteca pública is a place where books are read, studied and lent. Words such as libro, revista, préstamo and lector are used there. The person who works there is the bibliotecario or la bibliotecaria. In the city, urban transportation includes autobús, metro, tranvía and taxi. Parada, estación and billete or boleto are also used to get from one place to another. A person can tomar el autobús, bajarse en la parada or pedir información about a route. The library and transportation are common services that help people study, work and travel around the city.

librobibliotecametropréstamoparadaautobúshorariotarjeta de bibliotecaestaciónboleto

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Es el vehículo público que transporta pasajeros por la ciudadEs el documento o ticket que permite viajarEs el acto de llevarse algo por un tiempo y devolverloEs un conjunto de páginas impresas o digitalesEs la tarjeta que permite usar los servicios de la bibliotecaEs el lugar donde se detiene un autobús o tranvíaEs el lugar donde se leen y se prestan librosEs el transporte urbano que circula bajo tierra o en vías propiasEs el lugar donde salen y llegan trenes o metrosEs el momento o tabla de horas de un servicio

Vocabulary of public library and urban transportation

Word	Definition
biblioteca	It is the place where books are read and lent.
libro	It is a collection of printed or digital pages.
préstamo	It is the act of taking something for a while and returning it.
tarjeta de biblioteca	It is the card that allows you to use library services.
metro	It is the urban transportation that runs underground or on dedicated tracks.
autobús	It is the public vehicle that transports passengers around the city.
parada	It is the place where a bus or streetcar stops.
boleto	It is the document or ticket that allows travel.
estación	It is the place where trains or subways depart and arrive.
horario	It is the time or timetable of a service.

Scramble

In a public office, many procedures begin with simple phrases of courtesy and requests. People say buenos días, perdone and necesito información to open a formal conversation. Expressions such as quiero hacer un trámite, vengo a presentar un documento and tengo una cita then appear. When there are many people, people talk about hacer cola or esperar turno. At the service window, the official may ask for el documento de identidad, una copia or un formulario. Firmar is also used to complete the process. If something is missing, the person can ask ¿dónde entrego esto? or ¿a qué hora atienden? and follow the instruction they receive.

Words for public institutions vary depending on the country. In many places, people say ayuntamiento; in others, alcaldía or municipalidad. Policía is the most common form, but some countries use the names of specific agencies for the local or national force. Funcionario público is widely used in formal records, although empleado público or servidor público is also heard depending on the region. The main office of a city may be called municipalidad, ayuntamiento or alcaldía without changing the basic idea. To speak precisely, it is useful to recognize the local form and understand that all of them refer to institutions that handle community matters.