mensaje
/men-SA-heh/
message
The most common meaning of mensaje is a 'message'—any form of communication, such as a text, a note, or a voicemail.
mensaje(Noun)
message
?any form of communication (text, voice, written)
text
?short for 'text message'
,note
?a short written communication
📝 In Action
Te envié un mensaje esta mañana. ¿Lo viste?
A1I sent you a message this morning. Did you see it?
Por favor, déjale un mensaje a tu hermana de mi parte.
A2Please, leave a message for your sister from me.
Recibí un mensaje de voz de un número desconocido.
B1I received a voicemail message from an unknown number.
💡 Grammar Points
Always Masculine: 'el mensaje'
Even though it ends in '-e', 'mensaje' is a masculine word. A helpful trick: nearly all Spanish nouns that end in '-aje' are masculine, like 'el viaje' (the trip) and 'el garaje' (the garage).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Don't Mix Up with 'Masaje'
Mistake: "Quiero un mensaje, por favor."
Correction: Quiero un masaje, por favor. 'Masaje' means 'massage'. They sound similar but mean very different things!
⭐ Usage Tips
'Mensaje' vs. 'Recado'
Use 'mensaje' for any kind of message. 'Recado' is often used for a message you leave for someone who isn't there, or it can also mean 'errand'. 'Mensaje' is the more general and common choice.
Mensaje can also refer to the moral, main point, or 'takeaway' of a story, speech, or film.
mensaje(Noun)
moral
?of a story or fable
point
?the main idea or purpose
,takeaway
?the key lesson or idea to remember
📝 In Action
El mensaje de la película es que nunca debes rendirte.
B1The moral of the movie is that you should never give up.
El director quería transmitir un mensaje de esperanza con su obra.
B2The director wanted to convey a message of hope with his work.
¿Cuál crees que es el mensaje oculto en la novela?
B2What do you think is the hidden message in the novel?
⭐ Usage Tips
Looking for the Deeper Meaning
This use of 'mensaje' is about the idea behind the words or actions. When you ask '¿Cuál es el mensaje?', you're asking 'What's the point?' or 'What are they trying to say?'
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: mensaje
Question 1 of 1
In the sentence, 'El mensaje principal del libro es sobre el perdón,' what does 'mensaje' mean?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'mensaje' always masculine? I thought words ending in 'e' could be feminine.
Yes, it is always masculine: 'el mensaje'. While many words ending in '-e' can be tricky, there's a great rule of thumb for this one: almost all Spanish nouns ending in '-aje' are masculine. Think of 'el viaje' (the trip) or 'el garaje' (the garage).
What's the real difference between 'mensaje' and 'recado'?
'Mensaje' is the most general word for any kind of message (text, voice, note). 'Recado' is often used more specifically for a message you leave when someone isn't available, or it can also mean an 'errand'. When in doubt, 'mensaje' is almost always the right choice.