señalar
/seɲaˈlaɾ/
The English phrase "point at" is translated into Spanish as señalar.
The verb señalar is used both for the physical act of pointing with a finger and for the more abstract act of indicating or highlighting something.
How does it change in a sentence?
When pointing at a person or a pet, you must use the personal 'a' after the verb.
How do you pronounce it?
/seɲaˈlaɾ/
Did you know?
- In some cultures, using a finger to señalar is so taboo that people will use their lips to point toward an object instead.
- The act of señalar is so strongly associated with rudeness in some regions that it is used metaphorically to mean 'to accuse' or 'to sing out' someone in a group.
- The noun form of the verb, señal, is also the word used for 'road signs' and 'traffic signs' throughout the Spanish-speaking world.
Examples in context
- Es de mala educación señalar a la gente.It is bad manners to point at people.This sentence shows how to express that pointing at people is considered bad manners using señalar.Tatoeba #1016230 by jayefes65, translation #270172 by CK
- Es de mala educación señalar a los demás.It is rude to point at others.This sentence shows that pointing at others is considered rude using señalar.Tatoeba #1672365 by teskmon, translation #274757 by CK
- No es socialmente aceptable señalar a la gente.It is not socially acceptable to point at people.This sentence demonstrates that pointing at people is not socially acceptable using señalar.Tatoeba #1940023 by teskmon, translation #867812 by beaushiny
- Me podría indicar con el dedo dónde está la oficina del director?Could you point at or indicate with your finger where the director's office is?
- El guía turístico señaló los monumentos más importantes en el mapa.The tour guide pointed at the most important monuments on the map.
- Mis amigos me señalaron el camino hacia la playa.My friends pointed me towards the path to the beach.
Example conversation
Mateo and Elena are looking at a map in a museum.
- Mateo¿Puedes señalar el museo en el mapa, Elena?Can you point at the museum on the map, Elena?
- ElenaSí, está justo aquí, al lado del parque.Yes, it is right here, next to the park.
- MateoGracias, ahora voy a señalar la salida.Thanks, now I am going to point at the exit.
- ElenaPerfecto, vamos por allí.Perfect, let's go that way.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry señalar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
