How do you say "applicable" in Spanish?

Question

I know that "aplicable" is a valid translation but if am not mistaken you would use "aplicable" for example: La pintura es aplicable ( que se puede aplicar en las paredes). Now, how would you translate "applicable" in the following example? The citizens are expected to obey the "applicable" laws of the land. Gracias por la ayuda.

The problem is that the English sentence is confusing because A L L laws are applicable to all people unless you live in a country with a defective legal system. - ian-hill, Oct 23, 2010

Answer 1

Hmm. In that kind of sentence I'd translate "applicable laws" as "las leyes aplicables" or "las leyes que sean de aplicación", though "las leyes que les son/sean aplicables" is ok too. "of the land" is probably redundant in Spanish.

Speaking about "leyes válidas" can lead to confusion, I think. You can say things like 'esta promoción es válida sólo dentro de estados unidos', or 'this offer is valid only in the united states', but I'd be wary to use that expression for a law. It would be perfectly understood, but I don't think it is technically correct.

It took me a while to vote because I wasn't 100% sure about: "las leyes aplicables" until I was looking up another term in the RAE and found this under: "Calificación"."los preceptos legales aplicables..." - Myneg, Nov 1, 2010

So, thank you for your "very helpful" input. - Myneg, Nov 1, 2010

Answer 2

se dice "válido" en spañol

¿ Entonces "las leyes válidas" y no "las leyes aplicables" es la traducción correcta? - Myneg, Oct 23, 2010

Answer 3

I believe that applicable in Spanish is the same word with one “p”, aplicable.

Right, when you apply lotion, paint,etc.. or when you apply yourself to something. - Myneg, Oct 23, 2010

After researching this alittle more, I will have to agree with your answer. Thank you for your input.. - Myneg, Nov 1, 2010

Answer 4

The problem is that the English sentence is confusing because A L L laws are applicable to all people unless you live in a country with a defective legal system.

Our dictionary supplies this translation for "applicable"

1. válido(a) (to para), aplicable (to a)

How about, the citizens shall comply with all "applicable" laws of the nation/land? and right the dictionary gives different translations. Which one is correct under the context? - Myneg, Oct 23, 2010

Answer 5

The citizens are expected to obey the "applicable" laws of the land.

It's very dificultd:

Los ciudadanos deben obedecer las leyes de la tierra que le son aplicables

Which part is difficult? - Myneg, Oct 23, 2010

The passive voice "are expected to obey". For me it hasn't any direct traslation - RobertoSpain, Oct 23, 2010

Ok, I think that there ere MANY expressions in many languages that do not make sense if you "direct translate" them. - Myneg, Oct 23, 2010

As far as "are expected to obey" I would just normalize it in the target language e.g.,the students are "expected to study"= se supone que los estudiantes estudien. - Myneg, Oct 23, 2010