"Police" are the officers who maintain order; "politics" is the field of government activity and power.
Noun (plural). The force or organization responsible for enforcing the law and maintaining public order. Always treated as plural in English.
The police are investigating the robbery.
La policia esta investigando el robo.
She called the police when she heard the noise.
Ella llamo a la policia cuando escucho el ruido.
The police have arrested two suspects.
La policia ha arrestado a dos sospechosos.
Noun. The set of activities, ideas, and debates related to government, power, and public decision-making. Treated as singular.
She is very interested in politics and wants to run for office.
A ella le interesa mucho la politica y quiere postularse a un cargo.
Politics can be a very divisive topic at the dinner table.
La politica puede ser un tema muy divisivo en la mesa.
Local politics often have a bigger impact on daily life than national politics.
La politica local frecuentemente tiene mas impacto en la vida diaria que la politica nacional.
Common mistake
Classic false friends: Spanish "policia" = police, "politica" = politics (or policy). A common error: "The politics arrived at the scene." Wrong. Correct: "The police arrived at the scene." Another: "She works in the police" is unusual; natural is "She is a police officer" or "She works for the police."
Trick to remember it
"Police" = the ones in uniform who keep order. "Politics" = what they debate in congress. Also: "police" is always plural ("the police are..."), never "the police is". And a single officer is "a police officer", not "a police".
Quick rule
Police = law enforcement (plural). Politics = government activity.
Did you know?
"Policy" is a third word from the same Greek root: it means a specific rule or course of action by a government or company. "Politics" is the general field; "policy" is a specific rule or decision. "The government's economic policy" vs "I am interested in politics."
Exercise 1 · Pick the right one
Call the _____! Someone just broke the window.
Exercise 2 · Pick the right one
She avoids talking about _____ at family dinners because it always leads to arguments.
Exercise 3 · Form the word
Police = law enforcement (plural). Politics = government activity.
Classic false friends: Spanish "policia" = police, "politica" = politics (or policy). A common error: "The politics arrived at the scene." Wrong. Correct: "The police arrived at the scene." Another: "She works in the police" is unusual; natural is "She is a police officer" or "She works for the police."
"Police" = the ones in uniform who keep order. "Politics" = what they debate in congress. Also: "police" is always plural ("the police are..."), never "the police is". And a single officer is "a police officer", not "a police".
Bryan López
Founder of SpeakUP Academy