¿cómo se escribe
The English phrase "how do you spell" is translated into Spanish as ¿cómo se escribe.
This phrase is a question used to ask for the correct sequence of letters in a word. While ¿cómo se escribe is the most common way to ask for spelling, you may also use ¿cómo se deletrea, which is also used specifically to ask for the sequence of letters.
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, ¿cómo se escribe translates to "how is it written" rather than "how do you spell."
How does it change in a sentence?
When you are asking how to spell multiple words, you must change the verb to the plural form ¿cómo se escriben?
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid saying ¿cómo escribes?, as this means "how do you write" and asks about a person's writing style or ability rather than the spelling of a specific word.
Did you know?
- In some Spanish-speaking regions, people may respond to ¿cómo se escribe by using the 'military alphabet' or common objects to clarify letters.
- While 'spell' comes from the English 'spell' meaning a sequence of letters, the Spanish deletrear is rooted in the word 'letra', meaning 'letter'.
- The word cómo in this phrase has an unexpected ancestor in the Latin 'cōmō̆', a non-literary variation of 'quōmodo'.
Examples in context
- ¿Cómo se escribe "pretty"?How do you spell "pretty"?This example shows how to ask for the spelling of a specific word using ¿cómo se escribe.Tatoeba #2731 by Shishir, translation #1539 by AlanF_US
- ¿Cómo se escribe esa palabra?How do you spell that word?This sentence demonstrates asking how to spell a word using ¿cómo se escribe.Tatoeba #1637196 by teskmon, translation #1451679 by CK
- ¿Cómo se escribe su apellido?How do you spell your last name?This is an example of asking for the spelling of a last name using ¿cómo se escribe.Tatoeba #436258 by lukaszpp, translation #914379 by CK
- ¡Disculpe! ¿Cómo se deletrea "computadora"?Excuse me! How do you spell "computadora"?
- Perdone, ¿puede deletrearlo, por favor?Excuse me, can you spell it, please?
- Oye, ¿cómo se escribe "fiesta"?Hey, how do you write "fiesta"?
- Amigo, ¿me lo deletreas?Friend, can you spell it for me?
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alejandro is at a doctor's office and needs to register.
- AlejandroHola, necesito registrar mi nombre.Hello, I need to register my name.
- SofíaMuy bien, ¿cómo se escribe su nombre?Very well, how do you spell your name?
- AlejandroEs A-L-E-J-A-N-D-R-O.It is A-L-E-J-A-N-D-R-O.
- SofíaGracias, Alejandro. Lo tengo.Thank you, Alejandro. I have it.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cómo, se, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
