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How to Say "show" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “show” is “show” — use this word for a performance or exhibition, especially in informal contexts or when directly borrowing the English term.

showA1

Use this word for a performance or exhibition, especially in informal contexts or when directly borrowing the English term.

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concierto🔊A1

Use this for a musical performance, like a rock concert or a symphony.

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espectáculoA2

This is a general term for a public performance, such as a circus act or a theatrical play.

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exhibiciónA2

Use this for an athletic or sports-related performance, or an art display.

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exposiciónA2

This refers to an event or display, often an art exhibition or a formal presentation of items.

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enseñeA2

Use this verb form when asking someone to display an object or point something out to you.

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muestre🔊A2

This verb form is used to ask someone to display something or make it visible.

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transmisiónA2

Use this for a broadcast of an event, like a TV program or a sports game.

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serie🔊A1

This is an informal term for a television program or series.

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actuaciónB1

Use this for a public performance, especially by an actor, musician, or dancer.

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evidencia🔊B1

Use this verb when something makes a fact clear or demonstrates it.

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funciónB1

This is a general term for a scheduled event, like a movie screening or a theater performance.

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producciónB2

This refers to a theatrical or artistic production, often a play or a staged event.

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aparato🔊C1

Use this for a grand display or a significant show of resources, often for an important event.

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teatro🔊B2

This is used metaphorically to mean a scene, a spectacle, or dramatic behavior.

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English → Spanish

show

shouʃoʊ

nounA1informal
Use this word for a performance or exhibition, especially in informal contexts or when directly borrowing the English term.
A colorful stage with red curtains and a single spotlight shining on a wooden floor.

Examples

El show de magia fue increíble.

The magic show was incredible.

Vimos un show de luces en la plaza.

We saw a light show in the square.

Ese show de televisión es mi favorito.

That TV show is my favorite.

A Borrowed Word

This word is taken directly from English. Even though Spanish has its own words like 'espectáculo,' people use 'show' because it sounds modern and casual.

It's Masculine

Since it ends in a consonant and comes from English, it almost always uses 'el' (the) or 'un' (a).

Pluralizing 'show'

Mistake: “los showes”

Correction: los shows. Just add an 's' like in English, rather than follow the usual Spanish rule of adding 'es' to words ending in consonants.

concierto

kon-syér-tokonˈsjeɾto

nounA1general
Use this for a musical performance, like a rock concert or a symphony.
A small orchestra consisting of a violinist and a cellist performing on a brightly lit stage for a small, attentive audience.

Examples

Fui a un concierto de rock anoche, fue increíble.

I went to a rock concert last night, it was incredible.

¿A qué hora empieza el concierto de la orquesta sinfónica?

What time does the symphony orchestra concert start?

Compramos entradas para el concierto benéfico del sábado.

We bought tickets for the benefit concert on Saturday.

Gender Check

Remember that 'concierto' is always a masculine word, so you must use 'el concierto' or 'un concierto' when talking about it.

espectáculo

nounA2general
This is a general term for a public performance, such as a circus act or a theatrical play.

Examples

El espectáculo de circo fue increíble, especialmente los acróbatas.

The circus show was incredible, especially the acrobats.

exhibición

nounA2general
Use this for an athletic or sports-related performance, or an art display.

Examples

La exhibición de arte comienza a las ocho.

The art exhibition starts at eight.

exposición

nounA2general
This refers to an event or display, often an art exhibition or a formal presentation of items.

Examples

La nueva exposición de arte moderno es espectacular.

The new modern art exhibition is spectacular.

enseñe

verbA2formal
Use this verb form when asking someone to display an object or point something out to you.

Examples

Por favor, enseñe su pasaporte al oficial.

Please, show your passport to the officer.

muestre

MWES-trehˈmwestɾe

verbA2general
This verb form is used to ask someone to display something or make it visible.
A child holding up a colorful drawing to show it to someone.

Examples

Por favor, muestre su identificación.

Please, show your identification.

Espero que la empresa muestre mejores resultados.

I hope the company shows better results.

No creo que él me muestre la verdad.

I don't believe he will show me the truth.

The 'O' to 'UE' Change

This word comes from 'mostrar'. In many forms, the 'o' changes to 'ue' when it is the part of the word we emphasize most while speaking.

Using 'Muestre' for Commands

Use 'muestre' when you are politely telling someone (using 'usted') to show you something, like a ticket or a passport.

Don't Forget the 'UE'

Mistake: “Espero que él mostre el camino.”

Correction: Say 'muestre' instead. Many people forget that the 'o' in 'mostrar' must change to 'ue' in this form.

transmisión

nounA2general
Use this for a broadcast of an event, like a TV program or a sports game.

Examples

La transmisión del partido de fútbol duró dos horas.

The broadcast of the soccer game lasted two hours.

serie

SEH-ree-ehˈse.ɾje

nounA1informal
This is an informal term for a television program or series.
A cozy living room scene with a large television screen displaying a sequence of small, identical star icons, representing a TV series.

Examples

¿Viste la nueva serie de ciencia ficción?

Did you see the new science fiction series?

Mi serie favorita tiene diez episodios por temporada.

My favorite show has ten episodes per season.

Queremos hacer un maratón de la serie este fin de semana.

We want to binge-watch the show this weekend.

Always Feminine

Remember that 'serie' is always feminine, so you must use 'la serie' or 'una serie' even though it ends in '-e'.

Gender confusion

Mistake: “El serie es muy larga.”

Correction: La serie es muy larga. (Always use the feminine article 'la'.)

actuación

nounB1general
Use this for a public performance, especially by an actor, musician, or dancer.

Examples

La actuación de la bailarina fue la mejor parte del festival.

The dancer's performance was the best part of the festival.

evidencia

eh-vee-DEHN-seeaheβiˈðenθja

verbB1general
Use this verb when something makes a fact clear or demonstrates it.
A focused beam of light shining down onto a prominent, simple golden key resting on a dark pedestal, emphasizing that the key is clearly revealed.

Examples

Su comportamiento evidencia que está nervioso.

His behavior shows (evidences) that he is nervous.

El informe evidencia la necesidad de un cambio.

The report highlights the need for a change.

¡Evidencia tu conocimiento en el examen!

Show your knowledge on the exam! (Tú imperative)

Regular -AR Verb

'Evidenciar' is a very straightforward verb. It follows the standard pattern for all -AR verbs, which makes its conjugations easy to learn once you know the basic endings.

The Entry Word as a Verb

The word 'evidencia' is the form used for 'he/she/it does' or for the affirmative command 'you (tú) do,' meaning 'show' or 'make clear.'

función

nounB1general
This is a general term for a scheduled event, like a movie screening or a theater performance.

Examples

Fuimos a la última función del cine a las diez de la noche.

We went to the last movie screening at ten o'clock at night.

producción

nounB2general
This refers to a theatrical or artistic production, often a play or a staged event.

Examples

Vimos una producción teatral moderna en el centro.

We saw a modern theatrical production downtown.

aparato

ah-pah-RAH-toha.paˈɾa.to

nounC1formal
Use this for a grand display or a significant show of resources, often for an important event.
A brightly lit stage with a drawn-back curtain, featuring a simple burst of vibrant, celebratory confetti falling from the ceiling, depicting a spectacle.

Examples

Montaron un gran aparato para la visita del presidente.

They put on a big show (or display of resources) for the president's visit.

No me gusta el aparato que hace cuando tiene que hablar en público.

I don't like the fuss/show he makes when he has to speak in public.

Figurative Use

This meaning usually implies that the effort or complexity involved is unnecessary or overly theatrical. It's often used with verbs like 'montar' (to set up/mount).

teatro

teh-AH-trohteˈatɾo

nounB2informal
This is used metaphorically to mean a scene, a spectacle, or dramatic behavior.
A cartoon character making an extremely exaggerated gesture of shock or distress, with arms flung wide and body bent dramatically.

Examples

Deja el teatro y dime qué pasó de verdad.

Stop the drama/show and tell me what really happened.

Su reacción fue puro teatro, no estaba realmente enfadada.

Her reaction was pure theater/acting; she wasn't actually angry.

Show vs. Performance vs. Display

Learners often confuse 'espectáculo', 'actuación', and 'exhibición'. Remember that 'espectáculo' is a general public performance, 'actuación' often implies a specific role or artistic skill (like acting or dancing), and 'exhibición' is typically for sports or art displays. When in doubt, 'espectáculo' is a safe general choice for a public show.

Related Translations

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