señorita
/sen-yo-REE-tah/
Miss
Señorita, meaning 'Miss' or 'young lady', is a formal title used to address a young or unmarried woman.
señorita(Noun)
Miss
?as a title for a young or unmarried woman
young lady
?referring to a young woman
📝 In Action
Disculpe, señorita, ¿me puede ayudar?
A1Excuse me, Miss, can you help me?
La señorita López es la nueva profesora.
A1Miss Lopez is the new teacher.
Buenos días, señorita. ¿En qué le puedo servir?
A2Good morning, Miss. How can I help you?
💡 Grammar Points
When to Use Señorita vs. Señora
Traditionally, 'señorita' is for unmarried women and 'señora' for married women. Today, it's more common to use 'señorita' for younger women and 'señora' for older women. When in doubt with an adult woman, 'señora' is often a safe and respectful choice.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Abbreviation Error
Mistake: "Using 'Sra.' to abbreviate 'señorita'."
Correction: The correct abbreviation is 'Srta.'. 'Sra.' is short for 'señora'.
⭐ Usage Tips
Formal Address
Use 'señorita' with a last name (Señorita García) or by itself to get someone's attention. Avoid using it with a first name, like 'Señorita Ana'.
In many regions, 'señorita' is used to politely call a female attendant or waitress to ask for service.
señorita(Noun)
Miss
?to call for service, e.g., in a restaurant
waitress
?as a way to address a waitress
📝 In Action
Señorita, ¿nos puede traer la cuenta, por favor?
A2Miss, can you bring us the check, please?
¡Señorita! Otro café, cuando pueda.
B1Miss! Another coffee, when you can.
⭐ Usage Tips
Politeness Varies by Region
While common, calling out '¡Señorita!' can sometimes sound impatient. It's often more polite to try and make eye contact first or to say 'disculpe' (excuse me) to get attention.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: señorita
Question 1 of 1
You need to get the attention of a young woman working at a hotel reception desk. What is the most appropriate way to address her?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it ever offensive to call someone 'señorita'?
It's usually not meant to be offensive, but context is key. Since it traditionally refers to a young or unmarried woman, some adult women might prefer 'señora' to avoid assumptions about their age or personal life. In a professional setting, if you're unsure, 'señora' or simply 'disculpe' (excuse me) are very safe options.
What is the main difference between 'señorita' and 'chica'?
'Señorita' is a formal title, like 'Miss,' used to show respect. 'Chica' means 'girl' and is very informal, used with friends or people you know well. You would not use 'chica' to get a waitress's attention, for example.