Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| cómic | /ˈkomik/ | masculine |
| tebeo | /teˈbeo/ | masculine |
| paquín | /pakin/ (from spelling rules) | masculine |
| revista de historietas | /rebista de istoɾjetas/ (from spelling rules) | feminine |
In Spanish, several terms can be used to refer to a comic book, magazine or the medium itself. While cómic is a widely used and neutral term, other words like historieta may refer more specifically to an individual comic strip or a short story within a collection.
Which one should you use?
The term cómic is the most common and neutral way to refer to a comic book across all Spanish-speaking regions. In contrast, tebeo is used specifically in Spain. While cómic usually refers to the book or the medium, historieta (or the plural historietas) often describes the individual comic strip or the specific short story.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The word historieta is considered a formal term for a comic book used across both Spain and Latin America. The term cómic remains the standard neutral option.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Tebeo is a term used specifically in Spain to refer to comic books.
How does it change in a sentence?
cómic is a masculine noun and requires masculine articles such as el or un. The term revista de historietas is a feminine phrase.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈkomik/
Did you know?
- The Spanish word tebeo used in Spain is actually a play on words based on the magazine TBO and the phrase te veo, which means 'I see you'.
- The term historieta sounds like it might mean 'history', but it actually refers to the 'story' or 'sketch' aspect of a comic strip.
Examples in context
- Es una villana de cómic.She is a comic book villain.This sentence uses cómic to describe a villain.Tatoeba #11936559 by Seael, translation #9027058 by Amastan
- Siempre que iba al servicio se llevaba un tebeo de Mortadelo y Filemón.Whenever he went to the bathroom, he would bring along a Mort & Phil comic book.This sentence uses tebeo to refer to a specific Mort & Phil comic book.Tatoeba #3677105 by Seael, translation #3748171 by ggia
- Tom leyó un cómic.Tom read a comic book.This sentence uses cómic to show someone reading a comic book.Tatoeba #8297480 by GuidoW, translation #8264236 by Hybrid
- 5 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucía and Mateo are at a bookstore.
- LucíaMira este cómic, ¡está muy barato!Look at this comic book, it's very cheap!
- MateoEs verdad, Mateo lo quiere comprar.It's true, Mateo wants to buy it.
- Lucía¿Te gusta este cómic, Mateo?Do you like this comic book, Mateo?
- MateoSí, Lucía, me encanta la portada.Yes, Lucía, I love the cover.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “comic book” translations and entries cómic, tebeo, 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 cómic, de, revista, tebeo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
