capítulo

Capítulo is a division of a written work, such as a book, magazine, or manuscript. The word comes from Latin capitulum, literally a “little head” or “chapter,” from caput meaning “head.” In Spanish and Portuguese, capÍtulo denotes a part of a text separated from other parts for organizational purposes.

In literature, chapters mark a narrative unit, often around a scene, event, or perspective shift. In Spanish, that unit is called capítulo. They may be titled or numbered (Capítulo 1, Capítulo I) and they help with pacing and navigation. Some works use short chapters, others longer; experimentation with structure is common.

In non-fiction and regulatory contexts, capítulo denotes major subdivisions within a larger document. In legal codes, a capítulo organizes articles under a common theme; in academic books, capítulos correspond to topics or arguments; religious texts may also be divided by capítulos.

Typography and conventions: In Spanish-language publishing, capítulo is typically lowercased unless it begins a line. Chapters are labeled with numbers or Roman numerals. In digital formats, chapters are often linked in a table of contents for quick navigation. The term is used across Romance-language publishing with similar meaning.