señor
/seˈɲoɾ/
The English phrase "mr." is translated into Spanish as señor.
señor is the most widely recognized and commonly used formal term for "Mr." in Spanish. When using this title, it is typically followed by a surname rather than a first name.
Meaning: abbreviation of mister (noun)
Which one should you use?
señor is the full word, while Sr. is its abbreviation. Additionally, the honorific don can be used before a first name to address someone as "Mr."
How do you pronounce it?
/seˈɲoɾ/
Did you know?
- While señor is used as a title for people, it is also used as an adjective for masculine nouns to give them a sense of importance or high status.
- Because señor originally meant 'lord' or 'nobleman', using it to address someone is a linguistic remnant of a time when such titles were reserved for the high-ranking elite.
- In traditional Spanish etiquette, calling someone señor without a name can sometimes be perceived as overly distant or even cold depending on the region.
Examples in context
- Muchas gracias, don Alejandro, por su amable respuesta.Thank you very much, Mr. Alejandro, for your kind response.
- El señor García es mi vecino.Mr. Garcia is my neighbor.
- Buenos días, señor López.Good morning, Mr. Lopez.
- Yo hablé con el señor Martínez.I spoke with Mr. Martinez.
Example conversation
Elena is asking Mateo about a new teacher.
- Elena¿Conoces al señor Blanco?Do you know Mr. Blanco?
- MateoSí, él es un buen hombre.Yes, he is a good man.
- Elena¿Es el nuevo profesor?Is he the new teacher?
- MateoSí, el señor Blanco empieza hoy.Yes, Mr. Blanco starts today.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry señor, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries señor, CC BY-SA 4.0.
