# Politics and society in Esperanto: words for news and debate

Source: https://esperantopedia.org/phrases/politics-society/
Language: en
Updated: 2026-10-11

> Government is registaro, to vote is voĉdoni, law is leĝo: 80 Esperanto words for news, elections and debate, with pronunciation and phrases.

Politics is ***politiko***, a government is ***registaro***, and to vote is ***voĉdoni***. Most political words are international roots with an Esperanto ending, so *parlamento*, *kandidato*, *demokratio* and *traktato* look familiar. This page groups about 80 words by topic, then adds discussion phrases and word-building. The words are neutral labels; the page takes no side. Pronunciation guides split words into syllables, with the stressed syllable in capitals.

## State and power

*Ŝtato* is the political organisation and *lando* the territory; both are used for "country". *Registaro* is *reg·ist·ar·o*: *reg-* "govern", *-ist-* for a person, *-ar-* for a group. One member of a government is a *registo* (ReVo).

| English | Esperanto | Pronunciation | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| politics, policy | *politiko* | po-li-TI-ko | one word covers both |
| state | *ŝtato* | ŜTA-to | |
| government | *registaro* | re-gis-TA-ro | |
| minister | *ministro* | mi-NIS-tro | ministry: *ministerio*, *ministrejo* |
| prime minister | *ĉefministro* | ĉef-mi-NIS-tro | *ĉefo* "chief" + *ministro* |
| president of a country | *prezidento* | pre-zi-DEN-to | ReVo: a special status of *prezidanto* |
| chair, president of a meeting | *prezidanto* | pre-zi-DAN-to | from *prezidi* "to preside" |
| head of state | *ŝtatestro* | ŝta-TES-tro | *ŝtat-* + *-estr-* "leader" |
| king, queen | *reĝo*, *reĝino* | RE-ĝo, re-ĜI-no | |
| republic | *respubliko* | res-pu-BLI-ko | |
| parliament | *parlamento* | par-la-MEN-to | |
| member of parliament | *deputito* | de-pu-TI-to | also "deputy" |
| law | *leĝo* | LE-ĝo | |
| constitution | *konstitucio* | kon-sti-tu-CI-o | |
| court | *juĝejo* | ju-ĜE-jo | *juĝi* "judge" + *-ej-* "place"; also *tribunalo* |
| mayor | *urbestro* | ur-BES-tro | *urbo* "town" + *-estr-* |

## Elections and parties

*Elekti* "to elect" takes a direct object, so it needs the [accusative](https://esperantopedia.org/grammar/accusative/) *-n*: *Ni elektas la urbestron*. After *voĉdoni* "to vote", a preposition says how: *voĉdoni por la propono* "for", *voĉdoni kontraŭ la propono* "against", *voĉdoni pri la propono* "on" (see [prepositions](https://esperantopedia.org/grammar/prepositions/)). ReVo also has *baloti* "to vote by ballot", but says *voĉdoni* or *elekti* can always replace it.

| English | Esperanto | Pronunciation | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| election, choice | *elekto* | e-LEK-to | |
| to elect | *elekti* | e-LEK-ti | takes *-n* |
| to vote | *voĉdoni* | voĉ-DO-ni | *voĉo* "voice, vote" + *doni* "give" |
| vote (the act) | *voĉdono* | voĉ-DO-no | |
| right to vote | *voĉdonrajto* | voĉ-don-RAJ-to | |
| ballot | *balotilo* | ba-lo-TI-lo | |
| polling place | *balotejo* | ba-lo-TE-jo | *-ej-* "place" |
| candidate | *kandidato* | kan-di-DA-to | |
| party | *partio* | par-TI-o | member: *partiano* |
| campaign | *kampanjo* | kam-PAN-jo | |
| majority | *plimulto* | pli-MUL-to | also *majoritato* (rare, ReVo) |
| minority | *malplimulto* | mal-pli-MUL-to | *mal-* "opposite" |
| opposition | *opozicio* | o-po-zi-CI-o | |
| referendum | *referendumo* | re-fe-ren-DU-mo | |

## Rights, society and the economy

| English | Esperanto | Pronunciation | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| right, entitlement | *rajto* | RAJ-to | |
| freedom | *libereco* | li-be-RE-co | |
| equality | *egaleco* | e-ga-LE-co | |
| justice | *justeco* | jus-TE-co | |
| democracy | *demokratio* | de-mo-kra-TI-o | |
| dictatorship | *diktaturo* | dik-ta-TU-ro | |
| society | *socio* | so-CI-o | |
| citizen | *civitano* | ci-vi-TA-no | |
| people, nation's population | *popolo* | po-PO-lo | |
| tax | *imposto* | im-POS-to | plural *impostoj* |
| economy | *ekonomio* | e-ko-no-MI-o | |
| trade union | *sindikato* | sin-di-KA-to | workers: *laboristoj*, see [jobs and work](https://esperantopedia.org/phrases/jobs-work/) |
| strike | *striko* | STRI-ko | |
| demonstration | *manifestacio* | ma-ni-fes-ta-CI-o | |
| left, right (political wings) | *maldekstra*, *dekstra* | mal-DEKS-tra, DEKS-tra | adjectives; ReVo records both political senses |

## News and debate

*Novaĵo* is built from *nov-* "new" and *-aĵ-* "a thing": a piece of news, usually plural *novaĵoj*. A newspaper is *gazeto* or *ĵurnalo*. Despite its look, *ĵurnalo* is a newspaper or news bulletin (ReVo), not a diary.

| English | Esperanto | Pronunciation | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| news | *novaĵo* | no-VA-ĵo | |
| newspaper | *gazeto*, *ĵurnalo* | ga-ZE-to, ĵur-NA-lo | |
| journalist | *ĵurnalisto* | ĵur-na-LIS-to | |
| the press | *gazetaro* | ga-ze-TA-ro | all newspapers of a place |
| mass media | *amaskomunikilo* | a-mas-ko-mu-ni-KI-lo | *amas-* "mass" |
| fact | *fakto* | FAK-to | |
| opinion | *opinio* | o-pi-NI-o | to think: *opinii* |
| debate | *debato* | de-BA-to | |
| discussion, to discuss | *diskuto*, *diskuti* | dis-KU-to, dis-KU-ti | |
| argument | *argumento* | ar-gu-MEN-to | |
| proposal, to propose | *propono*, *proponi* | pro-PO-no, pro-PO-ni | |
| to agree | *konsenti* | kon-SEN-ti | |
| to disagree | *malkonsenti* | mal-kon-SEN-ti | *mal-* + *konsenti* |
| agreement | *interkonsento* | in-ter-kon-SEN-to | |
| compromise | *kompromiso* | kom-pro-MI-so | |
| to support | *subteni*, *apogi* | sub-TE-ni, a-PO-gi | |
| to oppose | *kontraŭi* | kon-TRAŬ-i | |

## International affairs

The United Nations is ***Unuiĝintaj Nacioj*** (*UN*), built from *unuiĝi* "to unite", the participle ending *-int-* and the plural *-aj*. ReVo notes that *nacio* normally means "a people"; the sense "state" appears in terms translated from English, like this one. The European Union is ***Eŭropa Unio*** (*EU*), defined in ReVo as an economic and political union of European states, founded in 1993. The Universal Esperanto Association has official relations with UNESCO and the UN's ECOSOC (see [Esperanto organisations](https://esperantopedia.org/about/organizations/)).

| English | Esperanto | Pronunciation | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Nations | *Unuiĝintaj Nacioj* | u-nu-i-ĜIN-taj na-CI-oj | capital letters on both words |
| European Union | *Eŭropa Unio* | eŭ-RO-pa u-NI-o | |
| international | *internacia* | in-ter-na-CI-a | |
| embassy | *ambasado* | am-ba-SA-do | |
| ambassador | *ambasadoro* | am-ba-sa-DO-ro | |
| treaty | *traktato* | trak-TA-to | |
| war | *milito* | mi-LI-to | |
| peace | *paco* | PA-co | |
| sanctions (penalties) | *sankciumo* | sank-ci-U-mo | *sankcio* alone means approval |
| refugee | *rifuĝinto* | ri-fu-ĜIN-to | |
| border | *landlimo* | land-LI-mo | *lando* + *limo* "limit" |

On sanctions, ReVo defines *sankcio* as official approval, marks its penalty sense as one to avoid, and gives *sankciumo* for a punishment that follows a political misdeed. Country names and nationalities (*Francio*, *Usono*, *usonano*) are on the [countries and languages](https://esperantopedia.org/phrases/countries-languages/) page.

## Phrases for a discussion

| Esperanto | English |
|---|---|
| *Mi konsentas kun vi.* | I agree with you. |
| *Mi ne konsentas kun vi pri tio.* | I disagree with you about that. |
| *Laŭ mia opinio, la propono estas bona.* | In my opinion, the proposal is good. |
| *Mi opinias, ke ni bezonas pli da tempo.* | I think that we need more time. |
| *Kion vi opinias pri la nova leĝo?* | What do you think of the new law? |
| *Tio estas fakto, ne opinio.* | That is a fact, not an opinion. |
| *Ni devas trovi kompromison.* | We have to find a compromise. |
| *Mi proponas, ke ni voĉdonu.* | I propose that we vote. |
| *Kiu voĉdonas por la propono, kaj kiu kontraŭ?* | Who votes for the proposal, and who against? |

*Konsenti* is the plain word for "agree"; ReVo's own example is *mi konsentas kun vi*. After *proponi*, *ke* is followed by the *-u* form: *Mi proponas, ke ni voĉdonu*.

## Sentences from the news

| Esperanto | English |
|---|---|
| *La registaro proponis novan leĝon.* | The government proposed a new law. |
| *La parlamento voĉdonis pri la leĝo.* | Parliament voted on the law. |
| *Ni elektos novan prezidenton.* | We will elect a new president. |
| *La elekto okazos en Novembro.* | The election will take place in November. |
| *La ministro parolis kun ĵurnalistoj.* | The minister spoke with journalists. |
| *La du landoj subskribis traktaton pri paco.* | The two countries signed a peace treaty. |
| *Ĉiu civitano havas la rajton voĉdoni.* | Every citizen has the right to vote. |
| *Mi legas la novaĵojn ĉiutage.* | I read the news every day. |

Direct objects take *-n*: *novan leĝon*, *prezidenton*, *traktaton*. Month names take a capital letter, as in *Novembro*.

## Building more political words

Learn the endings and you can read many words you have not met. *Politikisto* is "politician", from *politiko* + *-ist-*; PMEG pairs *-ist-* words with *-ism-* words, as in ReVo's *socialismo* and *socialisto*. One root can name the system, the person and the quality: *demokratio* "democracy", *demokrato* "democrat", *demokrata* "democratic".

| Word part | Meaning | Example | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| *-ist-* | person busy with it | *politikisto* | politician |
| *-ism-* | doctrine, system | *liberalismo*, *socialismo* | liberalism, socialism |
| *-an-* | member | *partiano*, *civitano* | party member, citizen |
| *-ej-* | place | *balotejo* | polling place |
| *-ar-* | group | *gazetaro*, *ministraro* | the press, a cabinet |
| *-estr-* | leader | *urbestro*, *ŝtatestro* | mayor, head of state |
| *-ec-* | quality | *libereco*, *egaleco* | freedom, equality |
| *eks-* | former | *eksministro* | former minister |
| *mal-* | opposite | *malplimulto*, *malkonsenti* | minority, to disagree |

The pattern is the same as in other topics: see [suffixes](https://esperantopedia.org/grammar/suffixes/) and [prefixes](https://esperantopedia.org/grammar/prefixes/).

## Where to read the news in Esperanto

Esperanto media are small, so treat them as reading practice for these words rather than as a daily world-news service.

- *Monato* – a monthly international news magazine from the publisher Flandra Esperanto-Ligo in Antwerp. ReVo quotes its articles in many entries, for example under *konsenti*.
- Libera Folio – an independent online bulletin on the Esperanto movement since 12 April 2003; we cite its reports on several pages.
- *La Ondo de Esperanto* – a magazine from the publisher Sezonoj in Kaliningrad.
- *Esperanto* – the monthly magazine of the Universal Esperanto Association; *Kontakto* – the magazine of its youth organisation TEJO.
- Muzaiko – an Esperanto internet radio station that began broadcasting on 1 July 2011.

More listening and reading is on the [resources](https://esperantopedia.org/learn/resources/) page.

## Common questions

### How do you say "government" in Esperanto?

*Registaro*. One member is a *registo*, the ministers are *ministroj* and the head is the *ĉefministro* "prime minister".

### How do you say "to vote" and "election" in Esperanto?

"To vote" is *voĉdoni* and "election" is *elekto*. You vote *por* (for), *kontraŭ* (against) or *pri* (on) something, and you elect a person with *elekti*: *Ili elektis ŝin*.

### How do you say "I agree" and "I disagree" in Esperanto?

*Mi konsentas* or *Mi konsentas kun vi*, and *Mi ne konsentas* or *Mi malkonsentas*. To give your view, say *Laŭ mia opinio…* "in my opinion" or *Mi opinias, ke…* "I think that…".

### Is it *prezidanto* or *prezidento*?

Both exist. ReVo defines *prezidento* as the president of a country, a special status of *prezidanto*, which is anyone who presides: *prezidanto de la kunsido* "chair of the meeting". ReVo also lists "head of a republic" as a meaning of *prezidanto*.

### What are the United Nations and the European Union called in Esperanto?

*Unuiĝintaj Nacioj* (*UN*) and *Eŭropa Unio* (*EU*). Both forms are listed in ReVo.

## Sources

- ReVo: [registaro, registo, regi](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/reg.html), [ŝtato](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/sxtat.html), [ministro](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/minist1.html), [prezidanto, prezidi](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/prezid.html), [prezidento](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/prezident.html), [parlamento](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/parlam.html), [konstitucio](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/konsti1.html), [juĝejo](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/jugx.html), [politiko](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/politi.html)
- ReVo: [elekti](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/elekt.html), [baloti, balotilo, balotejo](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/balot.html), [voĉo, voĉdono](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/vocx.html), [kandidato](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/kandid.html), [partio](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/parti.html), [plimulto](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/mult.html), [referendumo](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/refere1.html), [voĉdonrajto](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/rajt.html)
- ReVo: [libereco](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/liber.html), [egaleco](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/egal.html), [demokratio](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/demokr1.html), [civitano](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/civit.html), [sindikato](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/sindik1.html), [dekstra, maldekstra](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/dekstr.html), [socialismo](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/social.html)
- ReVo: [novaĵo](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/nov.html), [gazeto, gazetaro](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/gazet.html), [ĵurnalo](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/jxurna.html), [opinio, opinii](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/opini.html), [konsenti, interkonsento](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/konsen.html), [proponi](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/propon.html), [kontraŭi](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/kontraux.html)
- ReVo: [nacio, Unuiĝintaj Nacioj](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/naci.html), [unio, Eŭropa Unio](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/uni.html), [ambasado](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/ambasa.html), [traktato](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/trakta.html), [sankcio, sankciumo](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/sankci.html), [rifuĝinto](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/rifugx.html)
- PMEG: [IST](https://bertilow.com/pmeg/vortfarado/afiksoj/sufiksoj/ist.html), [ISM](https://bertilow.com/pmeg/vortfarado/afiksoj/sufiksoj/ism.html), [AN](https://bertilow.com/pmeg/vortfarado/afiksoj/sufiksoj/an.html), [EJ](https://bertilow.com/pmeg/vortfarado/afiksoj/sufiksoj/ej.html), [AR](https://bertilow.com/pmeg/vortfarado/afiksoj/sufiksoj/ar.html), [EKS](https://bertilow.com/pmeg/vortfarado/afiksoj/prefiksoj/eks.html), [MAL](https://bertilow.com/pmeg/vortfarado/afiksoj/prefiksoj/mal.html)
- Vikipedio: [Unuiĝintaj Nacioj](https://eo.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unui%C4%9Dintaj_Nacioj), [Eŭropa Unio](https://eo.wikipedia.org/wiki/E%C5%ADropa_Unio), [Libera Folio](https://eo.wikipedia.org/wiki/Libera_Folio), [La Ondo de Esperanto](https://eo.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Ondo_de_Esperanto), [Muzaiko](https://eo.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muzaiko); [Monato](https://www.monato.be/) (the magazine's website)