What does “junta” mean in Spanish?

Paola is in windy Reykjavik and says, “vamos a una junta con la embajadora de México en Dinamarca.” Here “junta” doesn’t mean “joined” or a “joint” — in Mexico and parts of Latin America it’s a common word for a work meeting. In Spain everyday speech usually says “reunión,” but across Mexico “junta” is what you hear at the office or with officials. So she’s simply heading to a meeting with the ambassador.

She says: “Vamos a una junta con la embajadora de México en Dinamarca.” — “We’re going to a meeting with Mexico’s ambassador to Denmark.” “Junta” comes from “juntar” (to bring together), so a junta is a gathering of people. In Mexico it’s the everyday word for a meeting: - “Tengo una junta a las tres.” — “I have a meeting at three.” - “La junta se canceló.” — “The meeting was cancelled.” - “¿A qué hora es la junta?” — “What time is the meeting?” Note: “junta” is mostly Mexican/Latin American here. In Spain you’d more often hear “reunión” for a meeting, though “junta” still shows up for a formal board or council. Say it “HOON-ta,” with the “j” like a soft “h.”