capitulo

Capítulo is a masculine Spanish noun that refers to a primary division of a book, document, or any extended written work. It is also used for distinct sections of religious texts, legal codes, or dramatic and audiovisual productions, such as television series or films, where an episode is commonly called a capítulo. The term is usually followed by a numeral or a title (Capítulo I, Capítulo 1, Capítulo sobre…), and its contents delineate a narrative, argument, or set of topics.

Etymology and usage notes: Capítulo derives from Latin capitulum, a diminutive form of caput meaning “head.” Historically, it signified a heading or small section at the head of a document. In modern Spanish, the word retains the sense of a subdivision within a larger work, whether fictional, academic, legal, or religious. It also appears in bibliographic references and scholarly works to indicate structured parts of a text.

Typical contexts: In literature and publishing, capítuos denote the organizational units of novels, essays, or manuals. In law and government, codes and regulations are divided into capítulos to organize provisions. In religious contexts, chapters are the standard divisions of sacred texts (for example, chapters of the Bible). In media, episodes of a TV show or web series are commonly labeled as capítulos, often with numbers or titles.

Orthography and grammar: The word is capitalized only at the beginning of a title or in proper headings; it is usually written in lowercase in running text. The accent on í (capítulo) marks the stress on the second syllable. The plural is capítulos.