sello
/ˈseʝo/Spain, masculine
The English phrase 'postage stamp' is translated into Spanish as sello. Wiktionary also lists estampilla and timbre.
Meaning: piece of paper indicating postage has been paid (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| sello | /ˈseʝo/ | Spain, masculine |
| estampilla | /estamˈpiʝa/ | Latin America, feminine |
| timbre | /ˈtimbɾe/ | Mexico, masculine |
A postage stamp is a piece of paper indicating that postage has been paid.
Which one should you use?
The word sello can mean both a postage stamp and a rubber stamp or seal.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The term used depends on the region: sello is the standard term in Spain, estampilla is commonly used in Latin America and timbre is a common way to say postage stamp in Mexico.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural forms are estampillas for the feminine estampilla, sellos for the masculine sello and timbres for the masculine timbre.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈseʝo/
Did you know?
- The Spanish word timbre is also the standard word for a doorbell.
- The word timbre shares a common ancestor with the English word 'tympanum' and the Spanish word tímpano for eardrum.
- The word estampilla uses the diminutive suffix -illa, which implies a sense of smallness or endearment toward the stamp.
Examples in context
- Necesito comprar algunos sellos postalesI need to buy some postage stamps
- Por favor, coloca una estampilla en el sobrePlease, put a postage stamp on the envelope
- Necesito unos sellos para enviar las cartasI need some stamps to send the letters
- Necesito comprar algunos sellos postales para enviar las invitaciones de la boda.I need to buy some postage stamps to send the wedding invitations.
- ¿Sabes dónde puedo conseguir unas estampillas para enviar esta carta?Do you know where I can get some stamps to send this letter?
- Pásame un sello. Necesito enviar este paquete mañana.Pass me a stamp, I need to send this package tomorrow.
- Necesito un sello para esta carta.I need a stamp for this letter.
- El sello está pegado en el sobre.The stamp is stuck on the envelope.
- No encuentro el sello de diez céntimos.I can't find the ten-cent stamp.
Example conversation
Javier and Lucía are at a post office.
- Javier¿Tienes un sello para este sobre, Lucía?Do you have a stamp for this envelope, Lucía?
- LucíaNo, no tengo ningún sello conmigo.No, I don't have any stamp with me.
- JavierVale, lo compraré aquí en la oficina.Okay, I will buy it here at the office.
- LucíaPerfecto, así terminas de enviar la carta.Perfect, that way you finish sending the letter.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “postage stamp” translations and entries sello, estampilla, timbre, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries estampilla, sello, timbre, CC BY-SA 4.0.
