documento
/dokuˈmento/masculine
The English phrase 'document' is translated into Spanish as documento. Wiktionary also lists pliego and cédula.
Meaning: original or official paper (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| documento | /dokuˈmento/ | masculine |
| pliego | /ˈpljeɡo/ | |
| cédula | /ˈθedula/ /ˈsedula/ |
feminine |
The term documento refers to an original or official paper and can be used for both physical paper documents and digital files, such as a PDF document. If you are referring to a collection of documents or the process of providing them, use the noun documentación. Related verbs used to mean recording something in documents include anotar, registrar and documentar.
Which one should you use?
While documento is the general term for any document, cédula is often used specifically for an identification document or a certificate. Additionally, pliego is another form used for document.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural of documento is documentos.
How do you pronounce it?
/dokuˈmento/
Did you know?
- The word documento shares a common ancestor with the English word 'teach'. Both trace back to the Proto-Indo-European root meaning 'to show' or 'to teach'.
- In ancient legal traditions, a pliego often referred to a folded document sealed with wax to ensure authenticity.
- The term documentar in Spanish is often used to mean 'to film' or 'to record a documentary', moving beyond just written files.
Examples in context
- Tom firmó el documento.Tom signed the document.This sentence is useful for showing the action of signing a documento.Tatoeba #9858961 by Shishir, translation #2958143 by CK
- Hice trizas el documento.I shredded the document.This sentence is useful for showing the action of shredding a documento.Tatoeba #5976028 by albrusgher, translation #5966546 by mailohilohi
- No puedo abrir el documento.I can't open the document.This sentence is useful for showing the inability to open a documento.Tatoeba #7551081 by arh, translation #7782714 by shekitten
- Necesito entregar el documentoI need to submit the document
- Favor de adjuntar el escritoPlease attach the document
- Debes redactar el texto legalYou should draft the legal document
- Envié el documento por correo electrónico al cliente.I sent the document to the client via email.
- Me pasas el papel para que pueda firmarlo.Can you pass me the document so I can sign it?
- Estoy harto del papeleoI'm tired of the paperwork
- Guarda el documentito por si acasoKeep the little document just in case
- 53 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Javier and María are at a government office.
- Javier¿Tienes el documento para la cita?Do you have the document for the appointment?
- MaríaSí, lo tengo aquí en mi bolso.Yes, I have it here in my bag.
- JavierPerfecto, María, así terminamos rápido.Perfect, María, that way we will finish quickly.
- MaríaEspero que no nos falte nada más.I hope we are not missing anything else.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “document” translations and entries documento, pliego, cédula, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cédula, documento, pliego, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
