mención honorífica
/menθjon onoɾifika/from spelling rules
In Spanish, "honorable mention" is translated as mención honorífica.
The phrase mención honorífica is used to denote an award or recognition. It is typically employed in formal contexts, such as academic awards, art competitions or official recognitions.
Meaning: award or recognition (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of mención (mention) and honorífica (honorable).
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the plural "honorable mentions", use menciones honoríficas. In this plural form, both the noun and the adjective take the plural suffix.
How do you pronounce it?
/menθjon onoɾifika/
Did you know?
- The adjective honorífica is used in other surprising contexts, such as presidencia honorífica, where a person holds a title of honor but possesses no actual executive power.
- The word mención shares a deep historical connection with the English verb 'mind', as both descend from the same Proto-Indo-European root referring to the act of remembering.
- While 'honorable' exists in English, the Spanish adjective honorífica is much more strictly reserved for formal ceremonies and official titles, whereas 'honorable' in Spanish can sometimes be used to describe a person's character.
Examples in context
- Recibió una mención honorífica por su excelente investigación.He/she received an honorable mention for his/her excellent research.
- Le otorgaron una mención de honor por su destacada labor en la conferencia.They granted him/her an honorable mention for his/her outstanding work at the conference.
- Obtuvo una mención especial en el concurso de pintura.He/she obtained an honorable mention in the painting contest.
- Su proyecto recibió una mención honorífica.His project received an honorable mention.
- La pintura obtuvo una mención honorífica en el concurso.The painting obtained an honorable mention in the contest.
- Fue una mención honorífica muy especial para ella.It was a very special honorable mention for her.
Example conversation
Javier and María are discussing the results of an art competition.
- JavierHola María, ¿ganaste algún premio?Hi María, did you win any prizes?
- MaríaNo gané el primer lugar, pero obtuve una mención honorífica.I didn't win first place, but I got an honorable mention.
- Javier¡Qué bien! Muchas felicidades, María.That's great! Congratulations, María.
- MaríaGracias, Javier, estoy muy feliz.Thank you, Javier, I am very happy.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries mención, CC BY-SA 4.0.
