How to Say "marker" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “marker” is “marcador” — use 'marcador' when referring to a pen or felt-tip pen used for writing or drawing, especially on surfaces like whiteboards or paper.
marcador
mahr-kah-DOHRmaɾkaˈðoɾ
Examples
Necesito un marcador rojo para la pizarra.
I need a red marker for the whiteboard.
El niño pintó toda la mesa con un marcador permanente.
The boy painted the whole table with a permanent marker.
No te olvides de tapar el marcador para que no se seque.
Don't forget to cap the marker so it doesn't dry out.
Making it Plural
Since this word ends in a consonant (r), you add '-es' to the end to make it plural: 'un marcador' becomes 'muchos marcadores'.
The '-dor' Ending
In Spanish, adding '-dor' to a verb is like adding '-er' in English. It turns an action (marcar / to mark) into the tool that does it (marcador / marker).
Gender confusion
Mistake: “La marcador”
Correction: El marcador. Words ending in -or are almost always masculine.
señal
sen-YALseˈɲal
Examples
Sigue las señales para llegar al centro.
Follow the signs to get to the center.
No tengo buena señal aquí, la llamada se corta.
I don't have a good signal here, the call is cutting out.
La fiebre es una señal de que estás enfermo.
A fever is a sign that you are sick.
Always Feminine: 'la señal'
Even though it doesn't end in '-a', 'señal' is a feminine word. So, always say 'la señal' (the sign) or 'una señal' (a sign).
Using 'signo' for a traffic sign
Mistake: “Mira el signo de stop.”
Correction: Mira la señal de stop. Use 'señal' for physical signs like traffic signs. 'Signo' is more for abstract symbols, like a zodiac sign ('signo del zodiaco').
Marker vs. Sign
Related Translations
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