foro

Foro is a term found in several Romance languages that traces back to Latin forum, originally a public square or marketplace where people gathered to discuss matters of public interest. In contemporary usage it denotes a space for discussion or exchange, and it can refer to both physical venues and metaphorical spaces such as online discussion platforms. In technical contexts it may also mean an opening or hole in a surface.

In Spanish, foro most commonly means a place for discussion: a physical forum or an online forum where people post messages and respond to topics. It can also refer to an opening or vent in a device or building. In legal language it designates jurisdiction or the venue for a case, as in foro competente.

Other Romance languages retain related meanings. In Italian and Portuguese, foro primarily means an opening or hole. They also use the term in legal phrases to denote the court or jurisdiction (for example, foro competente), mirroring the broader concept of a public place of discourse in its historical sense.

In modern digital life, "foro" is widely understood as "forum" in many online communities, with formats ranging from traditional message boards to structured Q&A sites.