público
nounCEFR B2High frequency
What does “público” mean in English?
audience, public
audience, public (the collective body of viewers, listeners, or citizens; el público general; ante el público)
Example sentences
El ministro adapta siempre su discurso al público que tiene enfrente: más técnico ante los expertos, más emocional ante los ciudadanos.
The minister always adapts his speech to the audience in front of him: more technical with experts, more emotional with citizens.
La película, pensada para el gran público, logró combinar el entretenimiento con una reflexión seria sobre la identidad.
The film, aimed at the general public, managed to combine entertainment with a serious reflection on identity.
Hablar en público es una habilidad que puede desarrollarse con práctica y retroalimentación constante.
Speaking in public is a skill that can be developed through practice and constant feedback.
How to use it
El público (noun, masculine) means 'audience, public, crowd of spectators or readership'. At B2 it is used in media, culture, and political discourse. Core collocations: el público general/asistente/objetivo (target audience); ganarse al público; conectar con el público; el público en general; el gran público (the general public); un discurso para el gran público. Distinguish from audiencia (TV/radio ratings audience), espectadores (spectators, viewers), and lector/a (reader) — público is broader and can cover all of these.
Common mistake
El público can mean the noun 'audience/public' OR function as a collocation (hablar en público — to speak in public). Don't confuse with lo público (the public sphere, public ownership — adjective used as noun) or publicidad (advertising). 'The public' as a social concept = el público en general or la ciudadanía (citizenship).