nombrar

nom-BRAHR/nomˈbɾaɾ/

“nombrar” means “to name” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

to name🔊A2Verb

to give or mention a name

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to appoint🔊B2Verb

to assign someone to a job or role

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to name

Also: to mention

VerbA2regular ar

gerundnombrando

past Participlenombrado

infinitivenombrar

📝 In Action

Ella no quiso nombrar a sus amigos.

She didn't want to name her friends.

Por favor, nombra tres colores en español.

Please, name three colors in Spanish.

Me olvidé de nombrar ese detalle en la reunión.

I forgot to mention that detail in the meeting.

Word Connections

Synonyms

mencionar (to mention)
citar (to cite/quote)

Antonyms

callar (to keep quiet)
omitir (to omit)

Common Collocations

nombrar a alguien – to mention someone
sin nombrar – without mentioning

to appoint

Also: to designate

VerbB2regular arformal

A person in a suit handing a shiny gold badge to another person.

gerundnombrando

past Participlenombrado

infinitivenombrar

📝 In Action

El consejo decidió nombrar a un nuevo gerente.

The board decided to appoint a new manager.

Fue nombrada presidenta de la asociación.

She was appointed president of the association.

Me han nombrado responsable del proyecto.

I have been appointed project lead.

Word Connections

Synonyms

designar (to designate)
elegir (to elect/choose)

Antonyms

destituir (to dismiss/remove from office)

Common Collocations

nombrar heredero – to name an heir
nombrar director – to appoint as director

🔄 Conjugations

subjunctive

imperfect

ellos/ellas/ustedesnombraran

yonombrara

túnombraras

vosotrosnombrarais

nosotrosnombráramos

él/ella/ustednombrara

present

ellos/ellas/ustedesnombren

yonombre

túnombres

vosotrosnombréis

nosotrosnombremos

él/ella/ustednombre

indicative

preterite

ellos/ellas/ustedesnombraron

yonombré

túnombraste

vosotrosnombrasteis

nosotrosnombramos

él/ella/ustednombró

imperfect

ellos/ellas/ustedesnombraban

yonombraba

túnombrabas

vosotrosnombrabais

nosotrosnombrábamos

él/ella/ustednombraba

present

ellos/ellas/ustedesnombran

yonombro

túnombras

vosotrosnombráis

nosotrosnombramos

él/ella/ustednombra

View All Tenses & Moods →

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: nombrar

Question 1 of 3

Which sentence means 'They appointed her director'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼

nombre(name) — Noun

nombramiento(appointment) — Noun

renombrado(renowned/famous) — Adjective

🎵 Rhymes▼

asombrar sembrar

📚 Etymology▼

From the Latin word 'nominare', which comes from 'nomen' (name). It shares the same ancestor as the English words 'nominate' and 'name'.

First recorded: 12th century

Cognates (Related words)

French: nommerItalian: nominare

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use 'nombrar' for 'calling' someone on the phone?

No. For phones or calling someone's name to get their attention, always use 'llamar'.

Does 'nombrar' mean the same as 'mencionar'?

Mostly, yes! 'Nombrar' is specifically about mentioning a name, while 'mencionar' can be about names, ideas, or facts.

Is there a difference between Spain and Latin America for this word?

No, the meaning and usage are consistent across all Spanish-speaking regions.