Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| etiqueta | /etiˈketa/ | feminine |
| rótulo | /ˈrotulo/ | masculine |
| marbete | /maɾˈbete/ | masculine |
| rotulata | /rotulata/ (from spelling rules) | feminine |
| marchamo | /maɾt͡ʃamo/ (from spelling rules) | masculine |
| label | /label/ (from spelling rules) | Latin America, masculine |
| signatura | /siɡnaˈtuɾa/ | feminine |
The most common and generic word for a label is etiqueta. You should use etiqueta specifically for labels found on products, bottles or clothing. If you are referring to a sticker or an adhesive label, use pegatina. To describe the act of attaching a label to something, use the verb etiquetar, though etiquetear and rotular are also used. If you are using the word figuratively to categorize or label a person (such as labeling someone a liar), use the phrases etiquetar de or etiquetar como.
Which one should you use?
While etiqueta is for general product or clothing labels, rótulo refers to a sign or a large label used for identification on a building, storefront or in a public space. Use rótulo for larger signs or lettering.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Argentina, Uruguay and parts of Chile, etiqueta can be replaced by rótulo. In some Central American countries, etiqueta is commonly used to refer specifically to a price tag.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of etiqueta is etiquetas.
How do you pronounce it?
/etiˈketa/
Did you know?
- Beyond a product label, etiqueta also means 'etiquette' in Spanish. It refers to the set of social rules and manners one must follow in formal settings.
- The word marbete comes from the Andalusian Arabic word for a 'bag on the belt'. It evolved from an Arabic term meaning 'rope' or 'hawser'.
Examples in context
- No quites esta etiqueta.Do not remove this label.This sentence is useful for demonstrating how to use the word etiqueta in a negative command.Tatoeba #3452449 by cueyayotl, translation #12877242 by rul
- Lea la etiqueta detenidamente.Read the label carefully.This sentence is useful for instructing someone to read a specific etiqueta.Tatoeba #7918222 by fpp, translation #4397582 by CK
- Lea usted lo que dice la etiqueta.Read what's on the label.This sentence is useful for directing someone to the content of an etiqueta.Tatoeba #2267692 by cueyayotl, translation #2267691 by _undertoad
- Por favor, lee la etiqueta antes de usar el productoPlease read the label before using the product
- El rótulo de la tienda indica que está cerradaThe store's sign shows that it is closed
- Ponle una etiquetita a la llave para no olvidar para qué sirvePut a little label on the key so you don't forget what it's for
- Mi hija decoró su carpeta con pegatinasMy daughter decorated her folder with stickers
- Recuerda quitar la etiqueta antes de lavar el suéterRemember to remove the label before washing the sweater
- Voy a escribir el nombre en la etiquetita del regaloI'm going to write the name on the gift label
- ¿Dónde puedo encontrar pegatinas para mi libreta?Where can I find stickers for my notebook?
- 7 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mateo and Sofía are looking at a gift in a store.
- Mateo¿Dónde está la etiqueta de precio?Where is the price label?
- SofíaEstá en la parte de atrás, Mateo.It is on the back, Mateo.
- MateoAh, ya veo la etiqueta.Ah, I see the label.
- SofíaEs una etiqueta muy pequeña.It is a very small label.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “label” translations and entries etiqueta, rótulo, marbete, marchamo, signatura, 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 etiqueta, marbete, rótulo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
