nombre de
/nombɾe de/from spelling rules
The English phrase "name of" is translated into Spanish as nombre de.
While English often uses the possessive "'s" (such as "the river's name"), Spanish almost always uses nombre de to express this relationship.
How does it change in a sentence?
If you are following the phrase with a masculine singular noun that requires the article el, de and el contract to form del (e.g., nombre del). For feminine singular nouns, use nombre de la. For masculine plural nouns, use nombre de los and for feminine plural nouns, use nombre de las.
How do you pronounce it?
/nombɾe de/
Did you know?
- In Spanish legal or formal documents, you might see nombre y apellidos, because nombre refers specifically to the first name while the family names are distinct.
- While nombre means 'name', it is also used as a common exclamation when written as ¡no, hombre!, which translates closer to 'no way' or 'come on'.
- In a religious context, a Spanish speaker might refer to the 'name of' God simply as el Nombre, using the capital letter to denote a sacred entity.
Examples in context
- ¿Cuál es el nombre de ese río?What is the name of that river?This sentence is useful for asking for the name of a specific river using nombre de.Tatoeba #881541 by Shishir, translation #67083 by CK
- Dime el nombre del noveno mes.Tell me the name of the ninth month.This sentence shows how nombre de contracts with the masculine article to become del.Tatoeba #1292926 by marcelostockle, translation #276028 by CM
- ¿Sabés el nombre de esta flor?Do you know the name of this flower?This sentence is useful for asking if someone knows the name of a flower using nombre de.Tatoeba #1416971 by hayastan, translation #60077 by CK
- ¿Cuál es el nombre de la empresa?What is the name of the company?
- ¿Cómo te llamas?What's your name?
- ¿Conoces el nombre de esta canción?Do you know the name of this song?
- ¿Cuál es el nombre que se le da a este plato tradicional?What is the name that is given to this traditional dish?
- No conozco el nombre de este libroI don't know the name of this book
- 55 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Daniel and María are at a cafe looking at a menu.
- Daniel¿Sabes el nombre de este postre?Do you know the name of this dessert?
- MaríaNo, no veo el nombre de la especialidad aquí.No, I don't see the name of the specialty here.
- DanielPreguntaré al camarero el nombre de la bebida.I will ask the waiter the name of the drink.
- MaríaGracias, Daniel, es una buena idea.Thanks, Daniel, that is a good idea.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries de, nombre, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
