ilegal

Ilegal is the spelling used in Spanish and Portuguese for something that is not permitted by law or that contravenes legal rules. The corresponding English term is illegal. The word derives from Latin illegalis (in- + legalis) and is formed with the negative prefix il- in the Romance languages. As an adjective, it typically modifies actions, conduct, or statuses that are prohibited by statute, regulation, or government policy.

In everyday usage, "ilegal" appears in phrases such as "actividad ilegal" (illegal activity) or "tráfico ilegal" (illegal trafficking). In Portuguese and Spanish the term is widely used across legal, political, and media discourse. In Portuguese, the noun "ilegalidade" denotes illegality, and verbs such as "ilegalizar" or "tornar ilegal" describe making something illegal. In Spanish, "ilícito" is a related term sometimes used for acts deemed morally or ethically wrong or not explicitly criminal, while "ilegal" more directly signals a violation of law; usage can vary by jurisdiction.

Outside everyday language, "ilegal" figures in legal terminology and policy debates about topics such as border control, criminalization, and regulatory compliance. In multilingual contexts, the term is often contrasted with "legal" (lícito in some Romance languages) or with "legality" and with "illicit" in English, though exact meanings depend on legal systems and linguistic nuance.