señor
/sen-YOR/
"Señor" is used like 'Mr.' or 'Sir' to show respect when talking to or about a man.
señor (Noun)
📝 In Action
¿El señor López está en la oficina?
A1Is Mr. López in the office?
Disculpe, señor, ¿me puede ayudar?
A1Excuse me, sir, can you help me?
Buenos días, señores. Bienvenidos a la reunión.
A2Good morning, gentlemen. Welcome to the meeting.
💡 Grammar Points
Using 'el' with 'señor'
When you talk about someone (e.g., 'Mr. Pérez'), you need to put 'el' before 'señor'. When you talk to someone directly, you don't use 'el'.
Capitalization Rule
Unlike in English, the title 'señor' is not capitalized unless it's abbreviated as 'Sr.' at the beginning of a sentence.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Forgetting 'el'
Mistake: "Hablé con señor Ramírez."
Correction: Hablé con el señor Ramírez. You need 'el' because you are talking *about* him, not *to* him.
⭐ Usage Tips
When to Use 'Señor'
Use 'señor' for adult men you don't know, in professional settings, or to show respect to someone older. It's the safe, polite choice.
"Señor" can also simply mean 'a man' or 'a gentleman', especially one you don't know.
señor (Noun)
📝 In Action
Un señor me preguntó la hora en la calle.
A2A man asked me for the time on the street.
El señor que vive al lado tiene un perro muy grande.
B1The man who lives next door has a very big dog.
⭐ Usage Tips
'Hombre' vs. 'Señor'
'Hombre' is the general word for 'man'. 'Señor' is used more to refer to a specific, often adult, man, implying a bit more respect or distance than just 'hombre'.
In historical or religious contexts, "señor" means 'lord' or 'master', someone with authority.
señor (Noun)
📝 In Action
El rey era el señor de todas esas tierras.
B2The king was the lord of all those lands.
En la Biblia, a menudo se refieren a Dios como 'el Señor'.
B2In the Bible, they often refer to God as 'the Lord'.
💡 Grammar Points
Capitalization for God
When 'Señor' refers to God in a religious context, it is always capitalized, just like in English.
Used before a noun, "señor" can mean 'great' or 'impressive', adding emphasis to what you're describing.
señor (Adjective)
📝 In Action
¡El delantero marcó un señor gol!
C1The forward scored a heck of a goal!
Se compró un señor coche con su primer sueldo.
C1He bought himself quite a car with his first salary.
💡 Grammar Points
Placement is Key
This meaning only works when 'señor' comes before the noun it's describing. 'Un señor gol' (a great goal) is different from 'un gol del señor' (a goal from the man).
⭐ Usage Tips
Adding Emphasis
Think of this as a way to upgrade a normal word. It's like saying 'not just any car, but a great car'. It adds a punch of admiration or surprise.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: señor
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly talks *about* Mr. Garza?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between 'señor' and 'don'?
Both are formal titles of respect. 'Señor' is more common and is used with the last name (Señor Pérez). 'Don' is a bit more traditional and respectful, and it's always used with the first name (Don Carlos). Think of 'Don' as a sign of high personal esteem.
When does a boy become a 'señor'?
There's no exact age, but generally, you'd start calling a young man 'señor' when he's an adult, maybe in his late teens or early 20s, especially in a formal setting. Before that, you might call him 'joven' (young man).
Is it okay to just call someone 'Señor' without their name?
Yes, absolutely! It's the equivalent of saying 'Sir' or 'Mister' in English to get someone's attention politely. For example, 'Disculpe, señor' (Excuse me, sir).