Inklingo

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 posting..

aviso🔊A1

Use 'aviso' for a written or posted announcement, like a sign or a bulletin board posting.

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atenciónA1

Use 'atención' when you mean 'attention' in the sense of awareness or focus.

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observar🔊A2

Use 'observar' when the meaning is to perceive or watch something carefully, often with the eyes.

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fíjateA2

Use 'fíjate' as an informal command to tell someone to take note or pay close attention to something specific.

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noticias🔊A1

While related, 'noticias' specifically refers to 'news' (broadcast or printed), not a general notice.

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observa🔊A2

Use 'observa' as the informal command (tú form) to tell someone to notice or observe something.

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anuncio🔊B1

Use 'anuncio' for a public announcement or advertisement, often a spoken or published declaration.

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comunicado🔊B1

Use 'comunicado' for a formal written notification or official statement, typically from an organization.

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caso🔊B1

Use 'caso' only within the specific idiomatic phrase 'hacer caso', meaning to pay attention to or heed someone's advice.

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English → Spanish

aviso

ah-VEE-soh/aˈβiso/

nounA1general
Use 'aviso' for a written or posted announcement, like a sign or a bulletin board posting.
A blank square piece of paper fixed with a red thumbtack onto a simple wooden bulletin board, representing a posted announcement.

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

nounA1general
Use 'atención' when you mean 'attention' in the sense of awareness or focus.

Examples

Por favor, presta atención.

Please, pay attention.

observar

ob-ser-VAR/oβ.seɾˈβaɾ/

verbA2general
Use 'observar' when the meaning is to perceive or watch something carefully, often with the eyes.
A child with a magnifying glass closely examining a bright green leaf on the ground.

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

verb formA2informal
Use 'fíjate' as an informal command to tell someone to take note or pay close attention to something specific.

Examples

Fíjate bien en cómo lo hago antes de intentarlo tú.

Pay close attention to how I do it before you try it.

noticias

/no-TEE-syas//noˈtisjas/ (LatAm), /noˈtiθjas/ (Spain)

nounA1general
While related, 'noticias' specifically refers to 'news' (broadcast or printed), not a general notice.
A stylized illustration of a classic broadcast microphone standing on a podium, with simple blue sound waves radiating outwards.

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'.

observa

/ohb-sehr-vah//oβˈseɾ.βa/

verbA2informal
Use 'observa' as the informal command (tú form) to tell someone to notice or observe something.
A young child wearing a brightly colored sweater is looking intently through a pair of binoculars at a distant object, suggesting close observation.

Examples

Observa el detalle en la pintura.

Notice the detail in the painting.

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-syoh/aˈnunθjo/

nounB1general
Use 'anuncio' for a public announcement or advertisement, often a spoken or published declaration.
A person on a small stage using a megaphone to deliver a message to a small, attentive audience, illustrating an announcement.

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.

comunicado

koh-moo-nee-KAH-doh/komuniˈkaðo/

nounB1formal
Use 'comunicado' for a formal written notification or official statement, typically from an organization.
A formal podium with a microphone on a blue background.

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.

caso

/KA-so//ˈkaso/

nounB1general
Use 'caso' only within the specific idiomatic phrase 'hacer caso', meaning to pay attention to or heed someone's advice.
A person's ear clearly receiving sound waves, symbolizing focused attention or heeding.

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'.

Confusing 'Aviso' and 'Anuncio'

Learners often confuse 'aviso' and 'anuncio'. Remember that 'aviso' is typically for posted or written notices (like a sign), while 'anuncio' is for a public declaration or advertisement.

Related Translations

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