señores
“señores” means “gentlemen” in Spanish. It has 3 different meanings depending on context:
gentlemen, misters
Also: sirs
📝 In Action
Los señores de la mesa tres están listos para ordenar.
A1The gentlemen at table three are ready to order.
Mis vecinos son dos señores muy amables.
A2My neighbors are two very kind gentlemen.
ladies and gentlemen, people
Also: folks
📝 In Action
¡Buenos días, señores! Gracias por venir a la reunión.
A2Good morning, ladies and gentlemen! Thank you for coming to the meeting.
La decisión final es de los señores que están en la junta directiva.
B1The final decision belongs to the people on the board of directors.
Excuse me!, Hey!
Also: look here
📝 In Action
¡Señores! Por favor, mantengan la calma y sigan las instrucciones.
B1Folks! Please stay calm and follow the instructions.
Pero señores, ¡esto es inaceptable! Tienen que revisarlo.
B2But look here, this is unacceptable! You have to check it.
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✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: señores
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses 'señores' to refer to a mixed group of 5 men and 5 women?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
The word 'señores' comes from 'señor,' which evolved from the Latin word *senior*, meaning 'older' or 'elder.' This history shows that it was originally a respectful title given to those with seniority or authority, much like 'Lord' or 'Sir' in English.
First recorded: 12th century (in its precursor form)
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'señores' strictly about men, or can it refer to women too?
While 'señores' is the plural of 'gentleman/mister,' it is also the standard, grammatically correct way to refer to or address any group that is mixed (both men and women) or whose gender composition is unknown. This is called the 'universal masculine' rule in Spanish.
When should I use 'señoras y señores' instead of just 'señores'?
Use 'señoras y señores' (ladies and gentlemen) when you are giving a formal speech or presentation and want to be extra polite and explicit in recognizing both genders. Simply using 'señores' is usually sufficient in everyday conversation and formal references.