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iniciales

ee-nee-syah-less/iniˈsjales/

“iniciales” means “initials” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

initials

Also: first letters
NounfA2
A wooden block carved with the letter A and another with the letter B, representing the first letters of a name.

📝 In Action

Por favor, escribe tus iniciales en cada página del contrato.

A2

Please, write your initials on every page of the contract.

Las iniciales de su nombre están bordadas en la camisa.

B1

The initials of his name are embroidered on the shirt.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • siglas (acronym/initials)

Common Collocations

  • poner las iniciales – to initial (something)
  • iniciales del nombre – initials of the name

initial, starting

Also: opening
Adjectivem or fB1
A small green sprout emerging from a seed in the dark soil, representing the beginning of growth.

📝 In Action

Las fases iniciales del proyecto son las más difíciles.

B1

The initial phases of the project are the most difficult.

Tuvimos algunos problemas iniciales, pero ahora todo va bien.

B1

We had some starting problems, but now everything is going well.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • primeras (first)
  • incipientes (beginning/emerging)

Antonyms

  • finales (final/ending)
  • últimas (last)

Common Collocations

  • etapas iniciales – initial stages
  • costos iniciales – initial costs

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "iniciales" in Spanish:

first letters→initial→initials→opening→starting→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: iniciales

Question 1 of 1

Which sentence uses 'iniciales' as a noun meaning 'letters of a name'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

From the Latin 'initialis', which comes from 'initium' meaning 'beginning' or 'entrance'. It shares the same root as the word 'exit' (the way out) and 'initiate'.

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: initialsFrench: initialesItalian: iniziali

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'iniciales' masculine or feminine?

When used as a noun meaning 'initials' (the letters), it is feminine: 'las iniciales'. When used as an adjective, it matches the noun it describes (e.g., 'los pasos iniciales' or 'las fases iniciales').

Do I use 'iniciales' for acronyms like FBI?

Yes, though the word 'siglas' is more specific for organization names, 'iniciales' is often used interchangeably in casual conversation.