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el discurso means speech — a common term in Academic & Exam Prep. Learn how it's used in a real-world example.

📅 Published: January 23, 2026

🧠 Academic & Exam Prep

el discurso

noun • /[dis-KUR-so]/

speech

Example:

Dio un discurso excelente.

He gave an excellent speech.

🧠 What does el discurso mean?

El discurso refers to a formal, structured oral or written exposition on a particular subject, typically delivered to an audience. Beyond its primary meaning of 'speech' or 'address', it can also denote 'discourse' in a broader academic or linguistic sense, referring to the system of language, thought, and communication that defines a particular culture or topic.

📚 Extra examples

  • El discurso de aceptación del premio fue muy emotivo.
    The award acceptance speech was very emotional.
  • En su libro, la autora analiza el discurso político de la época.
    In her book, the author analyzes the political discourse of the era.
  • Ya conozco tu discurso, no tienes que repetirlo.
    I already know your story, you don't have to repeat it.

💡 Did You Know?

The word 'discurso' is related to the verb 'discurrir', which means 'to flow', 'to pass by', or 'to reason'. This connection reflects the idea of a speech as a flow or a running through of ideas and arguments, from its Latin root 'discursus', meaning 'a running about'.

🔁 Synonyms & opposites of "el discurso"

Synonyms: la alocución, la ponencia, la exposición, el sermón, la perorata
Opposites: el silencio, la conversación, el diálogo

🔍 See more academic & exam prep words

❓ FAQ

How do you say 'speech' in Spanish?
The most common way to say 'speech' in Spanish is 'el discurso', especially for a formal address. Other words include 'la ponencia' (a presentation or paper) and 'la charla' (a talk or chat).
How do you pronounce 'el discurso' in Spanish?
The pronunciation is 'el dees-KOOR-so'. The stress falls on the second-to-last syllable, '-cur-'.
How do you use 'el discurso' in a sentence?
An example sentence is: 'El candidato preparó su discurso durante semanas.' (The candidate prepared his speech for weeks.)
What is the English translation of 'el discurso'?
The primary English translation of 'el discurso' is 'speech'. It can also mean 'discourse', 'address', or 'narrative'.
Does 'el discurso' change for gender or number?
Yes, it changes for number. 'El discurso' is the singular form, and 'los discursos' is the plural form. As a masculine noun, it always uses the masculine articles 'el' or 'los'.
Is 'el discurso' common in everyday Spanish?
It is very common in formal, political, and academic contexts. In casual conversation, it can be used colloquially to mean a person's repeated 'story', 'line', or 'spiel'.
Does 'el discurso' have slang or double meanings?
Yes, in colloquial use, 'discurso' can refer to a person's repetitive story, excuse, or line of reasoning, often with a slightly negative or weary connotation. For example, 'Estoy harto de su discurso de víctima' means 'I'm fed up with his victim narrative'.
Is 'el discurso' used differently in Spain vs Latin America?
The meaning and use of 'el discurso' are very consistent across Spain and Latin America. There are no significant regional differences in its primary meanings.

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