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How to Say "mentions" in Spanish

English → Spanish

menciona

/men-SYOH-nah//menˈsjo.na/

verbA2general
Use 'menciona' when referring to someone else talking about or bringing up a topic, person, or thing.
A person pointing to a picture of a friend while talking to a group.

Examples

Ella menciona tu nombre a menudo.

She mentions your name often.

Menciona tres cosas que te gustan.

Mention three things that you like.

Él siempre menciona el mismo problema.

He always brings up the same problem.

Two Roles for 'Menciona'

This word works double duty: it's used to say what someone else is doing right now (He mentions) AND as a friendly command to someone you know well (Mention!).

Talking to 'Usted'

If you are being formal with someone, don't use 'menciona' for a command. Instead, use 'mencione' to be polite.

Confusing 'Menciona' and 'Menciono'

Mistake: “Yo menciona el libro.”

Correction: Say 'Yo menciono el libro' (I mention the book). Use 'menciona' only for he, she, or a friendly command.

refiere

reh-FYEH-reh/reˈfje.ɾe/

verbB2formal
Use 'refiere' when someone is formally listing or reporting facts, events, or details, often in a narrative or testimonial context.
A person standing behind a simple podium with a microphone, speaking clearly to one listener, representing the act of reporting.

Examples

El testigo refiere los hechos tal como los vio, sin omisiones.

The witness reports the facts just as he saw them, without omissions.

La crónica refiere que el rey estaba enfermo.

The chronicle recounts that the king was ill.

Non-Reflexive Use

When 'refiere' is used without the 'se' (like 'él refiere'), it means 'he/she reports' or 'tells.' This is more direct and less common than the reflexive form.

menta

/MEHN-tah//ˈmenta/

verbC1general
Use 'menta' when 'he', 'she', or 'it' is specifically naming or alluding to something, often a specific incident or topic.
A person pointing toward a specific item in a group to bring attention to it.

Examples

Él nunca menta ese incidente.

He never mentions that incident.

No me mentas ese nombre en esta casa.

Don't you mention that name in this house.

The 'I lie' confusion

Mistake: “Thinking 'yo miento' only means 'I lie'.”

Correction: While usually it means 'I lie' (from 'mentir'), 'yo miento' is also the 'I' form of 'mentar' (to mention). Context is key!

Menciona vs. Menta

Learners often confuse 'menciona' and 'menta'. Remember that 'menciona' is more general for bringing something up, often by someone else. 'Menta' is more specific, usually referring to the act of naming or alluding to a particular thing or incident, and is used with third-person singular subjects ('he', 'she', 'it').

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