cartel

kar-TEL

nounmA1

poster?A large printed image or notice,sign?A public notice or advertisement

Also:billboard?Large outdoor advertisement,placard?A hand-held sign

📝 In Action

Pusimos un cartel en la ventana anunciando la venta.

We put a poster in the window announcing the sale.

El cartel de la película es muy llamativo.

The movie poster is very eye-catching.

Sigue el cartel que indica la salida de emergencia.

Follow the sign that indicates the emergency exit.

Word Connections

Synonyms

póster (poster)
anuncio (advertisement)

Common Collocations

pegar un cartel – to stick up a poster
cartel luminoso – illuminated sign

💡 Grammar Points

Gender Check

Remember 'cartel' is always masculine, so you must use 'el cartel' or 'un cartel'.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Confusing Gender

Mistake: "La cartel."

Correction: El cartel. Even though it ends in 'l', it follows the masculine rule for nouns ending in L, O, N, E, R, S.

⭐ Usage Tips

Visual Context

If you see a large, flat visual display, 'cartel' is almost always the correct word to use.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: cartel

Question 1 of 2

¿Cuál de estas oraciones usa 'cartel' en su significado más común (A1)?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

carta(letter, card) - noun

cartulina(cardboard, poster board) - noun

Frequently Asked Questions

Are 'cartel' and 'póster' interchangeable?

'Cartel' is broader. It covers posters, signs, and billboards. 'Póster' usually refers specifically to a decorative, printed poster, like one you'd hang in a bedroom. In many contexts, however, they can be used interchangeably.

How do I know if 'cartel' means 'poster' or 'syndicate'?

Look at the surrounding words. If you see verbs like 'pegar' (to stick), 'ver' (to see), or 'anunciar' (to announce), it means 'poster.' If you see verbs like 'desmantelar' (to dismantle), 'luchar' (to fight), or 'controlar' (to control), it means 'syndicate/organization'.