Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| anuncio | /aˈnunθjo/ /aˈnunsjo/ |
masculine |
| publicidad | /publiθiˈdad/ /publisiˈdad/ |
feminine |
| reclamo | /reˈklamo/ | masculine |
| aviso | /aˈbiso/ | masculine |
| aviso publicitario | /abiso publiθitaɾjo/ (Spain, from spelling rules) /abiso publisitaɾjo/ (Latin America, from spelling rules) |
masculine |
| anuncio publicitario | /anunθjo publiθitaɾjo/ (Spain, from spelling rules) /anunsjo publisitaɾjo/ (Latin America, from spelling rules) |
masculine |
| propaganda | /pɾopaˈɡanda/ | feminine |
| spot | /ˈspot/ /esˈpot/ |
masculine |
Spanish uses several different words to express the concept of an advertisement, depending on whether you are referring to a single specific item, the industry of advertising or a formal notice.
Which one should you use?
Use anuncio to refer to a specific, individual advertisement, such as a single poster or a single commercial. In Spanish, propaganda often carries a political connotation (political propaganda) and is less commonly used for commercial advertising than in English. For advertisements that function more as notices, warnings or formal announcements, such as a 'help wanted' sign, use aviso. The anglicism spot is frequently used in many Spanish-speaking countries to refer specifically to a short television or radio advertisement.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Argentina, it is common to use aviso instead of anuncio or publicidad. In Mexico, the word spot is widely used to refer to commercials or short advertisements.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word anuncio is a masculine noun and requires masculine articles like el or un. The word publicidad is a feminine noun and requires feminine articles like la or una.
Did you know?
- The word propaganda in Spanish is so strongly linked to political ideology that using it for a commercial product can sound like the product is trying to brainwash the consumer.
- The word reclamo for 'advertisement' is related to the Latin clāmō, meaning 'to shout'. This links the act of advertising to the historical practice of shouting to attract customers in a marketplace.
- The Spanish word reclamo can mean an advertisement, but it also shares its roots with the verb 'to claim' or 'to demand', often used when someone is making a formal protest or complaint.
Examples in context
- Su ropa es la mejor publicidad para su modista.Her clothes are the best advertisement for her dressmaker.This sentence shows how publicidad can be used to mean advertisement in a general sense.Tatoeba #5920480 by albrusgher, translation #2264246 by sharptoothed
- El aviso de trabajo solicitaba específicamente a una dama.The job advertisement specifically requested females.This sentence demonstrates the use of aviso for a job advertisement or notice.Tatoeba #1205648 by marcelostockle, translation #19577 by fishda
- Eso no es más que publicidad en vietnamita de una casa de apuestas.That's nothing more than an advertisement in Vietnamese for a gambling house.This sentence provides an example of using publicidad to describe a specific commercial advertisement.Tatoeba #13477776 by Seael, translation #13477786 by frpzzd
- El anuncio de televisión fue muy impactante.The TV advertisement was very impactful.
- Nuestra empresa invierte mucho en publicidad.Our company invests a lot in advertising.
- La propaganda del candidato tuvo un gran impacto.The candidate's advertisement had a great impact.
- Ellos hicieron una super publi para promocionar el concierto.They made a great advertisement to promote the concert.
- Voy a publicar un aviso en el periódico local.I'm going to place an advertisement in the local newspaper.
- Voy a grabar un spot para la televisión.I'm going to record a TV advertisement.
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Javier and María are looking at a magazine in a cafe.
- Javier¿Viste este anuncio de viajes?Did you see this travel advertisement?
- MaríaNo, pero parece muy interesante.No, but it looks very interesting.
- JavierPodríamos ir a la playa este verano.We could go to the beach this summer.
- MaríaEs una idea excelente, Javier.It is an excellent idea, Javier.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “advertisement” translations and entries anuncio, publicidad, reclamo, aviso, propaganda, spot, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries anuncio, aviso, reclamo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
