ceceo
/θeˈθeo/masculine
The Spanish word for lisp is ceceo. Wiktionary also lists sigmatismo.
Meaning: The habit or an act of lisping. (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| ceceo | /θeˈθeo/ /seˈseo/ |
masculine |
| sigmatismo | /siɡmatismo/ (from spelling rules) | masculine |
The word refers to the habit or the act of lisping. Specifically, it describes a speech pattern where 's' sounds are replaced by 'th' sounds (the interdental fricative).
Which one should you use?
While ceceo is the common term for a lisp involving the substitution of 's' with 'th' sounds, sigmatismo is the technical or medical term used to describe various clinical speech impediments involving sibilant sounds.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
To describe the act of lisping, you can use the verb cecear.
How do you pronounce it?
/θeˈθeo/
Did you know?
- In many parts of Spain, ceceo is not considered a speech impediment but a regional dialect trait used by millions of native speakers in cities like Seville.
- In Spanish, the word ceceo is onomatopoeic, meaning the word was actually created to mimic the specific sound of the speech pattern it describes.
- In literature and film, characters with ceceo are often used as a shorthand tool to immediately signal to the audience that the character is from a specific region of Spain, such as Seville.
Examples in context
- Ella tiene un ligero ceceo.She has a slight lisp.This sentence shows how to describe having a slight ceceo.Tatoeba #2110602 by teskmon, translation #1482966 by CM
- Algunas personas caricaturizan a los homosexuales como afeminados hablando con ceceo.Some people caricature gay men as limp-wristed and speaking with a lisp.This sentence shows how the term ceceo is used in a descriptive or caricatured context.Tatoeba #1210162 by marcelostockle, translation #733762 by darinmex
- Tom habla con ceceo.Tom speaks with a lisp.This sentence shows how to use ceceo to describe how someone speaks.Tatoeba #4339091 by mervert1, translation #3183342 by CK
Example conversation
María and Javier are discussing a child's speech development.
- María¿Es un problema médico su ceceo?Is his lisp a medical problem?
- JavierNo, es solo un ceceo temporal.No, it is just a temporary lisp.
- MaríaEntiendo, ¿le dará tiempo de mejorar?I see, will he have time to improve?
- JavierSí, con terapia su ceceo desaparecerá.Yes, with therapy his lisp will disappear.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “lisp” translations and entries ceceo, 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 ceceo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
