Es una señal.
It's a sign.
A random event suddenly seems to mean something, and una señal is how Spanish says fate is sending a message.
From Piensa como Hombre 2 · Spanish audio
Spanish vocabularyA1 · Beginner
How to say "sign" in Spanish
la señal
nounfeminineplural: las señales
"Sign" in Spanish is la señal: a signal, a traffic sign, or a sign from fate, as in Es una señal. A sign with words on it, such as a shop sign, is el letrero. To sign your name, the verb is firmar: Firma aquí.
Hear "señal" in real movie scenes
A sign from fate and a planned signal. Each video starts and stops on that line.
Esa es la señal.
That's the signal.
The signal was agreed on in advance so everyone knows their job when it comes, and la señal points to that one specific signal.
From Identidad peligrosa · Spanish audio
Señal, letrero, cartel, signo or firmar?
English uses sign for all of these. Spanish picks a word for each job.
| Spanish | Use it for | Example |
|---|---|---|
| la señal | signals, road signs, omens | una señal de tráfico (a traffic sign) |
| el letrero | a sign with words | el letrero de la tienda (the shop sign) |
| el cartel | a poster or printed notice | el cartel de la película (the movie poster) |
| el signo | symbols and zodiac signs | ¿Cuál es tu signo? (What's your sign?) |
| firmar | to sign your name | Firme aquí, por favor. (Sign here, please.) |
Tip: Phone reception uses the same word: No tengo señal means "I have no signal."
Grammar: la señal, las señales
Gender, spelling, and the verb for signing.
Feminine, and the ending won't tell you
la señal, una señal. Many words in -al are masculine (el animal), so learn this one with la.Plural with -es
las señales. Words that end in a consonant add -es: seh-NYAH-lehs.Keep the tilde
The ñ sounds like the ny in canyon. Without the tilde, senal isn't a Spanish word.To sign is firmar
A regular -ar verb: firmo, firmas, firma. The signature itself is la firma: Necesito tu firma.Example sentences
Sentences from the Wordy Spanish course. Tap to listen.
Quizá es una señal.
Maybe it's a sign.
La señal parece buena.
The signal looks good.
Tiene que firmar esto.
You have to sign this.
Vamos a firmar el contrato.
We're going to sign the contract.
Common mistakes
Mistakes learners make with this word, and how to fix them.
✗el señal
✓la señal
The -al ending says nothing about gender. Señal is feminine: una señal clara.
✗Signo el contrato
✓Firmo el contrato
Signo is a noun for symbols and zodiac signs. Writing your name on a document is firmar.
✗la señal de la tienda (the shop name over the door)
✓el letrero de la tienda
A sign with words on it is a letrero. Save señal for signals and road signs.
Practice: 3 quick exercises
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How to remember it
Say señal fast and it sounds close to signal: seh-NYAHL. Picture a railway signal flashing green the moment you say it.
Questions about "sign" in Spanish
How do you say sign in Spanish?
La señal for a sign or signal, el letrero for a sign with words on it, and firmar for signing your name.
How do you say "to sign" in Spanish?
Firmar: Tiene que firmar esto. Your signature is la firma.
Is señal masculine or feminine?
Feminine: la señal, las señales. Adjectives agree with it: una señal clara.
How do you say sign language in Spanish?
In Spain it's la lengua de signos. In Latin America people say la lengua de señas or el lenguaje de señas.
