Inklingo

letrero

le-TREH-roh/leˈtɾeɾo/

letrero means sign in Spanish (a physical board with words or images).

sign

Also: notice, placard
NounmA1
General
A wooden signpost standing in a grassy field.

📝 In Action

El letrero dice que la tienda está cerrada.

A1

The sign says that the shop is closed.

Puse un letrero de 'Se Vende' en la ventana de mi coche.

A2

I put a 'For Sale' sign in my car window.

Los letreros luminosos de la ciudad son muy bonitos por la noche.

B1

The bright neon signs in the city are very beautiful at night.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • cartel (poster/sign)
  • aviso (notice/announcement)
  • señal (signal/sign)

Common Collocations

  • letrero luminosoneon or light-up sign
  • poner un letreroto put up a sign
  • letrero de neónneon sign

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: letrero

Question 1 of 3

If you see a sign on a shop door that says 'Open', what is that object called in Spanish?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family
letra(letter (alphabet))Noun
deletrear(to spell)Verb
letrado(learned/lawyer)Adjective / Noun
🎵 Rhymes
📚 Etymology

Derived from the Spanish word 'letra' (letter), which comes from the Latin 'littera'. The ending '-ero' is used here to describe an object that contains or displays those letters.

First recorded: 15th century

Cognates (Related words)

Portuguese: letreiro

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can 'letrero' be used for digital signs?

Yes! Whether it is a wooden board, a plastic placard, or a digital LED display, it can still be called a 'letrero'.

How do I say 'traffic sign'?

Usually, traffic signs are called 'señales de tráfico', though 'letrero' might be used if it's a specific sign with text (like 'Expect Delays').

Is a billboard a 'letrero'?

A billboard is usually called a 'valla publicitaria', but 'letrero' is sometimes used for any large sign.