How to Say "notice" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “notice” is “aviso” — use 'aviso' for a written or posted announcement, like a sign or a bulletin board post.
aviso
ah-VEE-sohaˈβiso
Examples
Puso un aviso en el tablón de la escuela.
He put a notice on the school bulletin board.
Recibimos un aviso por correo electrónico sobre la reunión.
We received an announcement via email about the meeting.
Busco un piso, ¿viste algún aviso de alquiler?
I'm looking for an apartment, did you see any rental ads (notices)?
Masculine Gender
Even though it ends in '-o', remember that 'aviso' is always masculine, so use 'el aviso' or 'un aviso' when referring to it.
atención
Examples
Por favor, presta atención.
Please, pay attention.
letrero
le-TREH-rohleˈtɾeɾo
Examples
El letrero dice que la tienda está cerrada.
The sign says that the shop is closed.
Puse un letrero de 'Se Vende' en la ventana de mi coche.
I put a 'For Sale' sign in my car window.
Los letreros luminosos de la ciudad son muy bonitos por la noche.
The bright neon signs in the city are very beautiful at night.
Always Masculine
Even if the sign is for something feminine (like a 'tienda' or shop), the word 'letrero' itself is always masculine. Use 'el letrero' or 'un letrero'.
Describing What a Sign Says
To say what a sign 'says' in Spanish, we usually use the verb 'decir' (to say). For example: 'El letrero dice...'
Don't confuse with 'letra'
Mistake: “Vi una letra en la puerta que decía 'Abierto'.”
Correction: Vi un letrero en la puerta que decía 'Abierto'.
observar
ob-ser-VARoβ.seɾˈβaɾ
Examples
El astrónomo observa las estrellas con un telescopio potente.
The astronomer observes the stars with a powerful telescope.
Necesitas observar cómo lo hace el chef antes de intentarlo tú.
You need to watch how the chef does it before you try it.
Observamos un cambio significativo en el clima este mes.
We noticed a significant change in the weather this month.
Regular -AR Verb
Like many common Spanish verbs, 'observar' follows the standard pattern for verbs ending in -AR, making its conjugation very predictable.
Mixing up 'Observar' and 'Ver'
Mistake: “Using 'ver' when a careful, focused action is implied.”
Correction: Use 'observar' when you mean to study or watch something scientifically or carefully, not just to see it quickly ('ver').
fíjate
Examples
Fíjate bien en cómo lo hago antes de intentarlo tú.
Pay close attention to how I do it before you try it.
observa
ohb-sehr-vahoβˈseɾ.βa
Examples
Ella observa el cielo buscando estrellas fugaces.
She watches the sky looking for shooting stars.
¡Observa cómo lo hace el instructor antes de intentarlo tú mismo!
Observe how the instructor does it before trying it yourself!
Usted observa los detalles con mucha precisión, señor Torres.
You (formal) observe the details with great precision, Mr. Torres.
Use as a Command
"Observa" is the friendly, informal command form (tú) to tell someone to watch or pay attention.
Present Tense Action
In the present tense, 'observa' describes an action happening now or a habitual action performed by one person (he, she, or formal you).
Confusing 'Observa' and 'Mira'
Mistake: “Using 'observa' when you mean a quick glance, like 'Mira la televisión'.”
Correction: Use 'observa' for detailed, careful watching. 'Mira' is better for simply looking or watching TV.
anuncio
ah-NOON-syohaˈnunθjo
Examples
El presidente hará un anuncio importante esta tarde.
The president will make an important announcement this afternoon.
El anuncio de su boda sorprendió a todos sus amigos.
The announcement of their wedding surprised all their friends.
Action vs. Result
This definition emphasizes the act of notifying or declaring something. If you are talking about the written notice or sign itself, you might use aviso.
caso
KA-soˈkaso
Examples
Por favor, hazme caso cuando te hablo.
Please, pay attention to me when I talk to you.
El niño nunca hace caso a su madre.
The child never listens to (pays attention to) his mother.
No hagas caso del ruido, es solo el viento.
Don't pay any mind to the noise, it's just the wind.
A Word That Needs a Partner
To mean 'attention' or 'notice', 'caso' almost always appears with the verb 'hacer'. Think of 'hacer caso' as a single idea meaning 'to pay attention' or 'to listen to'.
Forgetting the 'a'
Mistake: “No me hizo caso mi consejo.”
Correction: No me hizo caso a mi consejo. When you pay attention *to* something or someone, you need the little word 'a' after 'hacer caso'.
comunicado
koh-moo-nee-KAH-dohkomuniˈkaðo
Examples
La empresa emitió un comunicado oficial sobre la nueva ley.
The company issued an official statement about the new law.
Leímos el comunicado de prensa en el periódico de hoy.
We read the press release in today's newspaper.
Noun Gender
Even though it comes from a verb, in this sense it's a noun and it is always masculine (el comunicado).
Comunicado vs. Comunicación
Mistake: “Using 'comunicación' when you mean a specific document.”
Correction: Use 'comunicado' for the physical statement or document, and 'comunicación' for the general act of talking or sharing info.
convocatoria
kon-bo-ka-to-ryakombokaˈtoɾja
Examples
La universidad publicó la convocatoria de becas para el próximo año.
The university published the call for scholarship applications for next year.
Tienes que leer las bases de la convocatoria antes de enviar tu CV.
You have to read the terms of the announcement before sending your CV.
El gobierno lanzó una convocatoria para nuevos proyectos artísticos.
The government launched a call for new artistic projects.
Always Feminine
Even though it sounds quite formal, it follows the standard rule for words ending in -a and is always feminine: 'la convocatoria'.
The 'De' Connection
We usually use 'de' after this word to say what the call is for, like 'convocatoria de empleo' (job call).
Convocatoria vs. Llamada
Mistake: “Hice una convocatoria a mi amigo por teléfono.”
Correction: Hice una llamada a mi amigo por teléfono. Use 'llamada' for a personal phone call and 'convocatoria' for an official announcement or group invitation.
noticias
no-TEE-syas/noˈtisjas/ (LatAm), /noˈtiθjas/ (Spain)
Examples
Veo las noticias todas las mañanas.
I watch the news every morning.
¿Oíste las buenas noticias?
Did you hear the good news?
El periódico está lleno de noticias internacionales.
The newspaper is full of international news.
Always Plural for 'The News'
In English, 'news' is a single concept. In Spanish, you almost always use the plural form 'noticias' to talk about 'the news' in general. Think of it like 'pieces of news'.
A Single Piece of News
If you want to talk about just one piece of news, you use the singular form: 'una noticia'. For example, 'Tengo una buena noticia' (I have a piece of good news).
Using Singular for General News
Mistake: “La noticia es interesante hoy.”
Correction: Las noticias son interesantes hoy. When talking about 'the news' as a whole (like on TV or in the paper), always use the plural 'las noticias'.
Distinguishing 'Aviso' from 'Anuncio'
Related Translations
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