Inklingo
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firma

/FEER-mah/

signature

A close-up view of a hand holding a fountain pen, actively drawing a unique, looping signature onto a piece of white paper.

The word 'firma' translates to 'signature,' the unique mark made when signing a document.

firma(noun)

fA1

signature

?

the act of signing or the mark made

Also:

sign

?

a mark or authorization

📝 In Action

Por favor, ponga su firma aquí abajo.

A1

Please put your signature down here.

Esta es la firma del director del banco.

A2

This is the bank manager's signature.

Necesito una segunda firma para validar el contrato.

B1

I need a second signature to validate the contract.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • rúbrica (flourish/paraph (decorative part of a signature))

Common Collocations

  • echar la firma – to sign (informal)
  • firma digital – digital signature

💡 Grammar Points

Gender Alert

Even though 'firma' ends in 'a', it is feminine, so use 'la firma' or 'una firma'.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Confusing Noun and Verb

Mistake: "Usar 'firma' para la acción de firmar. (e.g., Yo firma el papel.)"

Correction: Use 'firmar' for the action. 'Yo firmo el papel.' ('firma' is the noun, the mark itself.)

⭐ Usage Tips

Action vs. Object

Remember: You 'firmar' (sign) a document, and the result is 'la firma' (the signature).

A tall, modern, stylized skyscraper representing a large corporate business, set against a bright blue sky.

When 'firma' refers to a business, it translates to 'firm' or 'company.'

firma(noun)

fB1

firm

?

business or company

,

company

?

commercial organization

Also:

agency

?

professional service provider

,

brand

?

trademark or label

📝 In Action

Trabaja para una firma de abogados muy prestigiosa.

B1

She works for a very prestigious law firm.

Nuestra firma exporta productos a toda Europa.

B2

Our company exports products all over Europe.

Esta es una firma de ropa de alta calidad.

B2

This is a high-quality clothing brand.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • empresa (company/business)
  • compañía (company)

Common Collocations

  • firma consultora – consulting firm
  • firma de inversión – investment firm

💡 Grammar Points

Business Terminology

In business contexts, 'firma' often sounds more formal or specialized than 'empresa' (company) or 'negocio' (business).

⭐ Usage Tips

Context Clues

If you see 'firma' used in connection with names of professions (like 'abogados' or 'arquitectos'), it almost certainly means 'firm' or 'agency'.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: firma

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence uses 'firma' in the sense of 'company'?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

firmar(to sign) - verb
firmado(signed) - adjective

Frequently Asked Questions

Can 'firma' refer to a brand or label?

Yes, absolutely. Especially in the context of fashion, design, or luxury goods, 'una firma' can mean a high-end brand or a famous designer's label.

What is the most common verb associated with 'firma'?

The most common verb is 'firmar' (to sign). You often hear phrases like 'firmar un contrato' (to sign a contract) or 'firmar un acuerdo' (to sign an agreement).