señora

/sen-YOH-rah/

Mrs.

A respectful adult woman, perhaps a teacher or matriarch, smiling kindly while being greeted formally.

Visualizing 'Señora' as a polite title or respectful address, like 'Mrs.' or 'Ma'am'.

señora(Noun)

fA1

Mrs.?A title used before a last name, e.g., 'señora Pérez'.,Ms.?A modern, neutral title used before a last name.,Ma'am?Used to address a woman directly and respectfully.

Also:Madam?A very formal way to address a woman, often in writing.

📝 In Action

Buenos días, señora López.

Good morning, Mrs. López.

Disculpe, señora, ¿dónde está el baño?

Excuse me, ma'am, where is the restroom?

La señora García es la directora.

Mrs. García is the director.

Word Connections

Antonyms

señorita (Miss)
señor (Sir, Mr.)

Common Collocations

estimada señora – dear madam (used to start a formal letter)
señora de la casa – lady of the house

💡 Grammar Points

The Magic 'la'

When you talk about someone with a title, you need to add 'la' before it. For example, 'La señora Pérez vive aquí.' But when you talk directly to her, you drop the 'la': 'Hola, señora Pérez.'

❌ Common Pitfalls

Forgetting to Use 'la'

Mistake: "Hablé con señora Ramos."

Correction: Hablé con la señora Ramos. Remember, if you're telling a story about her, not talking to her face, you need that little word 'la'.

⭐ Usage Tips

'Señora' or 'Señorita'?

Use 'señora' for any adult woman. It's a sign of respect. Traditionally it was for married women, but now it's used more broadly. If you're unsure, 'señora' is usually a safer and more polite choice than 'señorita' (Miss) for an adult.

A dignified, mature woman standing confidently in a garden pathway, dressed elegantly.

Representing 'Señora' used generally to mean a respected 'lady' or adult woman.

señora(Noun)

fA2

lady?A polite, general term for a woman.

Also:woman?Referring to an adult female, often implying maturity or respect.

📝 In Action

Una señora me preguntó la hora en la calle.

A lady asked me for the time on the street.

Esa señora de rojo es mi tía.

That woman in red is my aunt.

Word Connections

Synonyms

mujer (woman)
dama (lady)

Antonyms

hombre (man)
caballero (gentleman)

⭐ Usage Tips

'Señora' vs. 'Mujer'

While both can mean 'woman', 'señora' often sounds a bit more respectful or formal, especially when talking about a specific person. 'Mujer' is a more general, all-purpose term.

A happy couple sharing a warm, informal embrace inside a cozy, bright home setting.

Illustrating the informal usage of 'Señora' when referring to one's 'wife'.

señora(Noun)

fB1

wife?Used with words like 'mi', 'tu', 'su' (my, your, his/her).

📝 In Action

Voy a la fiesta con mi señora.

I'm going to the party with my wife.

¿Cómo está tu señora? Hace mucho que no la veo.

How is your wife? I haven't seen her in a long time.

Word Connections

Synonyms

esposa (wife (more standard/formal))
mujer (wife (also common and informal))

Antonyms

marido (husband)
esposo (husband)

Common Collocations

mi señora – my wife

❌ Common Pitfalls

Using in Very Formal Settings

Mistake: "En la reunión, el director presentó a su señora."

Correction: En la reunión, el director presentó a su esposa. 'Esposa' is the better choice for very formal or professional situations. 'Señora' is perfect for everyday, friendly conversations.

⭐ Usage Tips

A Warm, Common Term

Referring to a wife as 'su señora' (his wife) or your own as 'mi señora' is very common and sounds natural and warm in most daily situations.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: señora

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence correctly says 'I'm talking about Mrs. Ruiz'?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

señor(sir, Mr., gentleman) - noun

señorita(Miss, young lady) - noun

señorear(to lord over, to dominate) - verb

señorío(manor, lordship, dignity) - noun

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it offensive to call a young woman 'señora'?

Not usually. In fact, it's often safer and more polite to use 'señora' for any adult woman you don't know, regardless of her age or marital status. While 'señorita' means 'Miss', using 'señora' shows a level of respect that is rarely taken badly.

When do I absolutely have to use 'la' before 'señora'?

You must use 'la' when 'señora' is the subject of the sentence or when you're talking about her. For example, 'La señora Gómez es amable' (Mrs. Gomez is kind) or 'Vi a la señora Gómez' (I saw Mrs. Gomez). The only time you drop 'la' is when you're speaking directly to her: 'Hola, señora Gómez.'