Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| señoras y señores | /seɲoɾas i seɲoɾes/ (from spelling rules) |
| damas y caballeros | /ˌdamas i kabaˈʝeɾos/ |
Both señoras y señores and damas y caballeros are used to address an audience consisting of both men and women.
What does it mean word for word?
In the phrase señoras y señores, señoras literally means 'Mrs./Ms./Ladies' and señores means 'Mr./Gentlemen'. In the phrase damas y caballeros, damas literally means 'ladies' and caballeros means 'gentlemen/knights'.
Which one should you use?
señoras y señores is the most common way to address a mixed-gender audience in everyday or standard settings. In contrast, damas y caballeros is a more formal version often used for high-end events, galas or formal announcements.
How does it change in a sentence?
When using the phrase señoras y señores, it is standard in Spanish to place the feminine noun señoras before the masculine noun señores.
How do you pronounce it?
/seɲoɾas i seɲoɾes/
Did you know?
- The word caballero shares the same root as caballo, meaning 'horse'. Historically, a caballero was a man of high social rank who was wealthy enough to own and ride a horse.
- The word señora comes from the Latin senior, meaning 'elder'. Originally, it was a title of respect for age rather than a gender-specific term for a married woman.
- Although señoras y señores is the standard, some modern public speakers in Spain and Latin America use todas y todos to be more inclusive and avoid the rigid binary of the traditional phrase.
Examples in context
- ¡Buenos días, damas y caballeros!Good morning, ladies and gentlemen!This sentence is useful for saying 'Good morning, ladies and gentlemen!' using damas y caballeros.Tatoeba #1235482 by marcelostockle, translation #559672 by khalidahmadzai
- Buenas noches, señoras y señores.Good night, ladies and gentlemen.This sentence is useful for saying 'Good night, ladies and gentlemen.' using señoras y señores.Tatoeba #12316254 by Serrot, translation #12319696 by michu3453
- Señoras y señores, sean bienvenidos.Welcome, ladies and gentlemen.This sentence is useful for saying 'Welcome, ladies and gentlemen.' using señoras y señores.Tatoeba #1331657 by Shishir, translation #1331928 by marcelostockle
- Buenas noches, señoras y señores, ¡gracias por acompañarnos en esta ocasión tan especial!Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, thank you for joining us on this special occasion!
- 12 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mateo is introducing Elena at a formal gala.
- MateoSeñoras y señores, les presento a Elena.Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you Elena.
- ElenaMuchas gracias por la bienvenida.Thank you very much for the welcome.
- MateoEs un placer tenerla aquí.It is a pleasure to have her here.
- ElenaGracias, Mateo.Thank you, Mateo.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “ladies and gentlemen” translations and entries damas y caballeros, 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.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
