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enseña

en-SEH-nya/enˈseɲa/

“enseña” means “teaches” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

teaches, shows

Also: you teach, teach!
VerbA1regular ar
A simple illustration showing a female teacher holding a bright red apple while a young student looks up attentively, representing the act of teaching.
infinitiveenseñar
gerundenseñando
past Participleenseñado

📝 In Action

Mi abuela me enseña a cocinar paella.

A1

My grandmother teaches me how to cook paella.

La guía nos enseña la entrada secreta del castillo.

A2

The guide shows us the secret entrance to the castle.

¡Enseña tu pasaporte en la aduana!

B1

Show your passport at customs!

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • mostrar (to show)
  • instruir (to instruct)

Common Collocations

  • enseña la verdad – reveals the truth
  • enseña modales – teaches manners

flag, standard

Also: brand, emblem
NounfB2formal
A simple storybook illustration of a large, brightly colored flag with simple geometric patterns waving strongly on a tall flagpole against a blue sky.

📝 In Action

La enseña de la ciudad ondeaba sobre el ayuntamiento.

B2

The city's flag/standard waved over the city hall.

Esta enseña comercial es reconocida mundialmente.

C1

This commercial brand/emblem is recognized worldwide.

El guerrero defendió su enseña hasta el final.

B2

The warrior defended his standard/banner until the end.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • bandera (flag (most common word))
  • estandarte (standard)
  • emblema (emblem)

🔄 Conjugations

indicative

present

él/ella/ustedenseña
yoenseño
túenseñas
ellos/ellas/ustedesenseñan
nosotrosenseñamos
vosotrosenseñáis

imperfect

él/ella/ustedenseñaba
yoenseñaba
túenseñabas
ellos/ellas/ustedesenseñaban
nosotrosenseñábamos
vosotrosenseñabais

preterite

él/ella/ustedenseñó
yoenseñé
túenseñaste
ellos/ellas/ustedesenseñaron
nosotrosenseñamos
vosotrosenseñasteis

subjunctive

present

él/ella/ustedenseñe
yoenseñe
túenseñes
ellos/ellas/ustedesenseñen
nosotrosenseñemos
vosotrosenseñéis

imperfect

él/ella/ustedenseñara/enseñase
yoenseñara/enseñase
túenseñaras/enseñases
ellos/ellas/ustedesenseñaran/enseñasen
nosotrosenseñáramos/enseñásemos
vosotrosenseñarais/enseñaseis
View All Tenses & Moods →

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "enseña" in Spanish:

shows→teach!→teaches→you teach→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: enseña

Question 1 of 1

Which sentence uses 'enseña' as a noun (meaning 'flag' or 'emblem')?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
enseñar(to teach, to show) — Verb
enseñanza(teaching, education) — Noun
enseñable(teachable) — Adjective
🎵 Rhymes▼
peñadueña
📚 Etymology▼

The word comes from the Latin *insignia*, meaning 'badges' or 'tokens,' which were visible marks or signs used to distinguish people or groups. This led to both the idea of a physical 'standard' or 'flag' (the noun) and the action of 'showing' or 'pointing out' information (the verb *enseñar*).

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

Portuguese: insígniaItalian: insegna

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'enseña' the same as 'enseñar'?

'Enseñar' is the base verb (the infinitive) meaning 'to teach' or 'to show'. 'Enseña' is a specific form of that verb (e.g., 'he/she teaches') and also a separate feminine noun meaning 'flag' or 'brand'.

When should I use 'bandera' instead of 'enseña' for 'flag'?

In almost all casual conversations, use 'bandera' for 'flag'. 'Enseña' is more formal or literary, often referring to a historical standard or a commercial trademark.