signo de número
/siɡno de numeɾo/from spelling rules
The English phrase "number sign" is translated into Spanish as signo de número.
signo de número is the literal name for the symbol # used to indicate a number in a sequence. In everyday speech, however, the symbol is more frequently referred to as almohadilla.
Which one should you use?
While signo de número is the literal name for the symbol, almohadilla is the more frequent way to refer to the symbol itself in everyday speech.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In many Spanish-speaking countries, the symbol # is commonly called almohadilla.
How do you pronounce it?
/siɡno de numeɾo/
Did you know?
- While almohadilla means 'little pillow', the word almohada for 'pillow' comes from the Arabic al-muẖadda, reflecting the centuries of Moorish influence on the Spanish language.
- While a student might learn signo de número, an experienced speaker in Spain will likely call the symbol almohadilla, which literally translates to 'little pillow'.
- In the digital world of social media, Spanish speakers almost exclusively use the English word 'hashtag' instead of almohadilla or signo de número.
Examples in context
- Escribe #gato al final del mensajeWrite #gato at the end of the message
- Recuerda incluir el símbolo de numeral antes de cada número de página.Remember to include the number sign before each page number.
Example conversation
Alejandro is helping Lucía fill out a form on a computer.
- AlejandroNecesito que pongas el signo de número aquí.I need you to put the number sign here.
- LucíaNo encuentro el signo de número, Alejandro.I can't find the number sign, Alejandro.
- AlejandroEstá arriba del número tres.It is above the number three.
- LucíaAh, ya lo vi, gracias.Oh, I see it now, thanks.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
