Inklingo

How to Say "stamp" in Spanish

English → Spanish

sello

SEH-yoh/ˈse.ʝo/

nounA1general
Use 'sello' when referring to the adhesive sticker you buy at the post office to mail a letter or postcard.
A small, colorful rectangular postage stamp with wavy edges, featuring a simple drawing of a flower.

Examples

¿Dónde puedo comprar un sello para esta postal?

Where can I buy a stamp for this postcard?

Pega el sello en la esquina superior derecha del sobre.

Stick the stamp on the top right corner of the envelope.

El abogado certificó el contrato con su sello.

The lawyer certified the contract with his seal.

Asegúrate de que la caja tenga el sello de seguridad intacto.

Make sure the box has the security seal intact.

Masculine Noun

'Sello' is always a masculine word, so use 'el' or 'un' before it: 'el sello', 'un sello nuevo'.

Actions related to 'Sello'

The action of applying the seal is 'poner un sello' (to put a seal) or 'estampar un sello' (to stamp a seal).

Confusing 'Sello' and 'Sellar'

Mistake: “Using 'sello' when you mean the action of stamping.”

Correction: Remember 'sello' is the physical item (the stamp), and 'sellar' is the action (to stamp/seal).

sello

SEH-yoh/ˈse.ʝo/

nounB1general
Use 'sello' to mean a rubber stamp or a physical seal used to authenticate documents or objects.
A small, colorful rectangular postage stamp with wavy edges, featuring a simple drawing of a flower.

Examples

El abogado certificó el contrato con su sello.

The lawyer certified the contract with his seal.

¿Dónde puedo comprar un sello para esta postal?

Where can I buy a stamp for this postcard?

Pega el sello en la esquina superior derecha del sobre.

Stick the stamp on the top right corner of the envelope.

Asegúrate de que la caja tenga el sello de seguridad intacto.

Make sure the box has the security seal intact.

Masculine Noun

'Sello' is always a masculine word, so use 'el' or 'un' before it: 'el sello', 'un sello nuevo'.

Actions related to 'Sello'

The action of applying the seal is 'poner un sello' (to put a seal) or 'estampar un sello' (to stamp a seal).

Confusing 'Sello' and 'Sellar'

Mistake: “Using 'sello' when you mean the action of stamping.”

Correction: Remember 'sello' is the physical item (the stamp), and 'sellar' is the action (to stamp/seal).

carácter

nounC1general
Use 'carácter' when 'stamp' refers to a quality, characteristic, or distinctive mark that defines something or someone.

Examples

El carácter confidencial de la información es vital para el proyecto.

The confidential nature of the information is vital for the project.

Postal Stamp vs. Characteristic

The most common confusion is between 'sello' for a postal stamp and 'carácter' for a figurative mark or quality. Remember that 'sello' is tangible (a sticker or a physical seal), while 'carácter' refers to an abstract characteristic.

Related Translations

Learn Spanish with Inklingo

Interactive stories, personalized learning, and more.