Inklingo

How to Say "sign" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “sign” is “señal” — use this when referring to a physical object that provides information or direction, like a traffic sign or a street sign..

señalA2

Use this when referring to a physical object that provides information or direction, like a traffic sign or a street sign.

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signo🔊A2

Use this for abstract marks or symbols, such as punctuation (question mark), or for an indication or omen of something happening.

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firma🔊A1

Use this specifically when referring to your signature, the unique mark you make to authorize a document.

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cartel🔊A1

Use this for a public notice, poster, or advertisement displayed in a public place.

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marca🔊A2

Use this for a visible trace, mark, or indication left on a surface or as evidence of something.

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símboloA2

Use this when referring to a visual mark, emblem, or object that represents an idea, a group, or a quality.

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gesto🔊A2

Use this for a movement of the body, especially the hands or head, to express an idea or meaning non-verbally.

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rastro🔊A2

Use this when referring to a trace, track, or evidence left behind, often implying something that is being searched for or has disappeared.

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contraseñaB2

Use this exclusively for a secret word, phrase, or signal used to gain access or identify oneself, like a password or a watchword.

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English → Spanish

señal

NounA2General
Use this when referring to a physical object that provides information or direction, like a traffic sign or a street sign.

Examples

Sigue las señales para llegar al centro.

Follow the signs to get to the center.

signo

/síng-no//ˈsiɣno/

NounA2General
Use this for abstract marks or symbols, such as punctuation (question mark), or for an indication or omen of something happening.
A red triangular road sign featuring a simple black exclamation point symbol in the center, indicating a warning.

Examples

La lluvia de esta mañana es un signo de que el verano ha terminado.

This morning's rain is a sign that summer has ended.

Siempre olvido dónde va el signo de interrogación.

I always forget where the question mark goes.

El signo de suma es un más (+).

The addition sign is a plus (+).

Necesitas añadir un signo de exclamación al final de esa frase.

You need to add an exclamation mark at the end of that sentence.

Gender Check

Remember that 'signo' is a masculine noun, so you always use 'el signo' or 'un signo'.

Signo vs. Señal

'Signo' often refers to a physical mark or an abstract indication (like a symptom). 'Señal' usually refers to a definite signal, like a traffic light or a gesture.

firma

FEER-mah/ˈfiɾma/

NounA1General
Use this specifically when referring to your signature, the unique mark you make to authorize a document.
A close-up view of a hand holding a fountain pen, actively drawing a unique, looping signature onto a piece of white paper.

Examples

Por favor, ponga su firma aquí abajo.

Please put your signature down here.

Esta es la firma del director del banco.

This is the bank manager's signature.

Necesito una segunda firma para validar el contrato.

I need a second signature to validate the contract.

Gender Alert

Even though 'firma' ends in 'a', it is feminine, so use 'la firma' or 'una firma'.

Confusing Noun and Verb

Mistake: “Usar 'firma' para la acción de firmar. (e.g., Yo firma el papel.)”

Correction: Use 'firmar' for the action. 'Yo firmo el papel.' ('firma' is the noun, the mark itself.)

cartel

/kar-TEL//kaɾˈtel/

NounA1General
Use this for a public notice, poster, or advertisement displayed in a public place.
A large, colorful poster depicting a simple illustration of a bright yellow sun, tacked onto a plain wooden wall.

Examples

Pusimos un cartel en la ventana anunciando la venta.

We put a poster in the window announcing the sale.

El cartel de la película es muy llamativo.

The movie poster is very eye-catching.

Sigue el cartel que indica la salida de emergencia.

Follow the sign that indicates the emergency exit.

Gender Check

Remember 'cartel' is always masculine, so you must use 'el cartel' or 'un cartel'.

Confusing Gender

Mistake: “La cartel.”

Correction: El cartel. Even though it ends in 'l', it follows the masculine rule for nouns ending in L, O, N, E, R, S.

marca

MAR-cah/ˈmaɾka/

NounA2General
Use this for a visible trace, mark, or indication left on a surface or as evidence of something.
A deep, clear footprint pressed into smooth, damp beach sand.

Examples

Hay una marca de zapato en el suelo.

There is a shoe mark on the floor.

Su caída dejó una pequeña marca en la rodilla.

His fall left a small mark (scar) on his knee.

Necesitas hacer una marca con lápiz antes de cortar.

You need to make a mark with a pencil before cutting.

símbolo

NounA2General
Use this when referring to a visual mark, emblem, or object that represents an idea, a group, or a quality.

Examples

La bandera es el símbolo de nuestro país.

The flag is the symbol of our country.

gesto

HES-toh/ˈxes.to/

NounA2General
Use this for a movement of the body, especially the hands or head, to express an idea or meaning non-verbally.
A simple cartoon illustration of a single hand giving a thumbs up sign, representing a physical gesture.

Examples

Hizo un gesto de dolor al tocarse la rodilla.

He made a gesture of pain when he touched his knee.

Con un gesto, el camarero nos indicó que la mesa estaba lista.

With a gesture, the waiter indicated to us that the table was ready.

Su gesto de sorpresa era tan cómico que todos reímos.

His expression of surprise was so comical that we all laughed.

Masculine Noun Rule

Remember that 'gesto' is always a masculine noun, so you use 'el' or 'un' before it: 'el gesto' (the gesture).

Pronouncing the 'G'

Mistake: “Pronouncing the 'g' like the English 'g' in 'go' ('ges-toh').”

Correction: The correct sound is the strong Spanish 'j' sound, like the English 'h' in 'hello' ('HES-toh').

rastro

/RRAH-stroh//ˈras.tɾo/

NounA2General
Use this when referring to a trace, track, or evidence left behind, often implying something that is being searched for or has disappeared.
A clear, fresh footprint impressed into wet mud on the ground, indicating something has passed by.

Examples

No dejó ningún rastro de su visita.

He didn't leave any trace of his visit.

Los excursionistas siguieron el rastro de las huellas en la nieve.

The hikers followed the track of the footprints in the snow.

El rastro de neumáticos era muy claro en el barro.

The tire track was very clear in the mud.

Masculine Noun

Remember that 'rastro' is always a masculine word, so it uses 'el' (el rastro) and masculine adjectives (un rastro viejo).

Confusing Rastro and Pista

Mistake: “Using 'pista' when referring to a continuous, physical trail left on the ground.”

Correction: 'Rastro' usually refers to the physical marks left behind, while 'pista' is often used for abstract clues or a general sports track.

contraseña

NounB2General
Use this exclusively for a secret word, phrase, or signal used to gain access or identify oneself, like a password or a watchword.

Examples

Los soldados debían usar la contraseña correcta para pasar la guardia.

The soldiers had to use the correct watchword to pass the guard.

Sign vs. Signal vs. Mark

A frequent mistake is using 'signo' or 'marca' when a more specific word like 'señal' (for traffic signs) or 'cartel' (for posters) is needed. Remember 'señal' is for informational signs and 'signo' is more abstract or symbolic.

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