sr.
/sen-yor/
📝 In Action
El Sr. García no está en la oficina hoy.
A1Mr. García is not in the office today.
¿Necesita algo, Sr. López?
A1Do you need anything, Mr. López?
La carta está dirigida al Sr. Juan Ramírez.
A2The letter is addressed to Mr. Juan Ramírez.
💡 Grammar Points
It's Short for 'Señor'
'Sr.' is the short, written form of the word 'señor'. When you say it out loud, you always pronounce the full word: 'señor'.
Always Use a Period
As an abbreviation, 'Sr.' must always have a period at the end. The same goes for 'Sra.' (señora) and 'Dr.' (doctor).
Capitalization Rule
When 'Sr.' is used before a name, it's capitalized, just like in English: 'Sr. Díaz'. If you just write the full word 'señor' in the middle of a sentence, it's usually lowercase.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Forgetting the Period
Mistake: "El Sr Gomez está aquí."
Correction: El Sr. Gomez está aquí. In Spanish, abbreviations like this need a period to be correct.
Plural Form
Mistake: "Los sr. Martinez y sr. Sanchez."
Correction: The plural of 'Sr.' is 'Sres.' (for 'señores'). Use it for more than one man: 'Los Sres. Martinez y Sanchez'.
Pronouncing the Abbreviation
Mistake: "Saying 'ese-erre' out loud."
Correction: Never pronounce the letters 'S-R'. Always say the full word, 'señor', even when you see 'Sr.' written down.
⭐ Usage Tips
Show Respect
Use 'Sr.' before a man's last name in writing and formal speech. It's the standard way to show respect, similar to 'Mr.' in English.
Writing vs. Speaking
In writing (like emails, letters, or forms), using the abbreviation 'Sr.' is very common. When speaking, you'll always say the full word, 'señor'.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: sr.
Question 1 of 1
You are writing a formal email to a man named Carlos Ruiz. How should you address him at the beginning?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I always capitalize 'Sr.'?
Yes, when it comes before a name, you should always capitalize it, like 'Sr. López'. It's treated like part of their name in that context.
What's the difference between 'Sr.' and 'Don'?
'Sr.' is used with a last name (Sr. García) and is a direct equivalent of 'Mr.'. 'Don' is a more traditional title of respect used with a man's first name (Don Carlos). 'Don' often implies a closer, yet still respectful, relationship.
How do I make 'Sr.' plural?
The plural abbreviation is 'Sres.', which is short for 'señores'. You use it when referring to two or more men, for example, 'los Sres. Gómez y Fernandez'.