se escribe
/se eskɾibe/from spelling rules
In Spanish, "it is spelled" is translated as se escribe.
While the verb escribir literally means "to write," the phrase se escribe is the standard way to explain or ask how a word is spelled in Spanish.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is literally "it writes itself" or "one writes it." It uses the reflexive se to create a passive meaning.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase is impersonal and does not change based on whether the word being spelled is masculine or feminine. To ask someone how to spell a word, use the question form ¿Cómo se escribe [word]?
How do you pronounce it?
/se eskɾibe/
Did you know?
- Although the pronoun se in this phrase is used for impersonal actions, its historical roots actually stem from the Latin word illī, which originally meant 'to him' or 'to her'.
- While 'escribir' means 'to write', using se escribe to mean 'is spelled' highlights that in Spanish, the act of writing and the act of spelling are often treated as the same linguistic process.
- In some Spanish-speaking regions, people use the word deletrear to describe the act of spelling, but se escribe remains the most common way to ask for the spelling of a specific word.
Examples in context
- El nombre de la compañía se deletrea así: B-E-M-L-A.The name of the company is spelled like this: B-E-M-L-A.
- La forma correcta de escribir la palabra "teléfono" es con una "ñ."The correct way to write the word "teléfono" is with an "ñ."
- Mi apellido se escribe así: C-A-S-T-R-O.My last name is spelled like this: C-A-S-T-R-O.
- La manera en que se escribe la palabra "libreta" es con una sola "b."The way "libreta" is written is with a single "b."
- La palabra "México" se escribe con acento en la "e."The word "México" is spelled with an accent on the "e."
- ¿Cómo se deletrea "amarillo"?How is "amarillo" spelled?
- Se deletrea así: A-M-A-R-I-L-L-O.It is spelled like this: A-M-A-R-I-L-L-O.
- La palabra "fácil," ¿se acentúa?Does the word "fácil" have an accent?
- Sí, "ñoño" se escribe con tilde en la "n".Yes, "ñoño" is spelled with a tilde on the "n".
- Se escribe con hache.It is spelled with an h.
- Esa palabra se escribe con doble 'l'.That word is spelled with a double 'l'.
- ¿Cómo se escribe tu apellido?How is your last name spelled?
Example conversation
Lucía and Javier are at a reception desk.
- LucíaHola, ¿cómo se escribe su nombre?Hello, how is your name spelled?
- JavierSe escribe J-A-V-I-E-R.It is spelled J-A-V-I-E-R.
- LucíaEntendido, Javier. Gracias.Understood, Javier. Thank you.
- JavierDe nada.You're welcome.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries se, CC BY-SA 4.0.
