carteles
“carteles” means “posters” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
posters
Also: signs, placards
📝 In Action
Hay muchos carteles de colores en la pared.
A1There are many colorful posters on the wall.
Los carteles anuncian el concierto de mañana.
A2The posters announce tomorrow's concert.
cartels
Also: syndicates
📝 In Action
Los carteles de la droga son un problema global.
B1Drug cartels are a global problem.
Varios carteles controlan los precios del petróleo.
B2Several cartels control oil prices.
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✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: carteles
Question 1 of 2
Which word would you use to describe movie posters at a cinema?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
From the Occitan and Italian word 'cartello', which is a smaller version of 'carta' (paper). It originally meant a small piece of paper or a notice posted in public.
First recorded: 16th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why is it 'carteles' and not 'cartels' in Spanish?
In Spanish, if a word ends in a consonant like 'l', we must add 'es' to make it plural to make it easier to pronounce.
Is 'póster' the same as 'cartel'?
Yes, they are very similar. 'Póster' is a direct borrow from English, while 'cartel' is the more traditional Spanish word that covers both artistic posters and general street signs.