sellos postales
/seʝos postales/from spelling rules
The English phrase "postage stamps" is translated into Spanish as sellos postales.
The phrase refers to small adhesive pieces of paper used to show that a fee for mailing a letter has been paid.
What does it mean word for word?
The term is composed of sellos (stamps/seals) and postales (relating to the post/mail).
Which one should you use?
While sello can mean any stamp or seal, adding postales specifies that they are for mail. Additionally, in many parts of Latin America, estampillas is more commonly used than sellos postales.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The term estampillas is used mainly in Latin American countries.
How does it change in a sentence?
The singular form of the phrase is sello postal.
How do you pronounce it?
/seʝos postales/
Did you know?
- The word sello is derived from the Latin sigillum, meaning a small seal. This is why the same root is used in Spanish for a 'record label', as the label represents the company's official seal of approval.
- In Spanish, the verb sellar means both to apply a stamp to a letter and to seal a deal or a fate. This creates a linguistic link between the physical act of mailing and the conceptual act of finalizing an agreement.
- While estampilla is common in Latin America, it shares a root with the word estampado, which refers to a pattern or print on fabric. This connection comes from the idea of something being 'pressed' or 'imprinted'.
Examples in context
- Necesito sellos para enviar esta carta.I need stamps to send this letter.
- Necesito comprar sellos postales hoy.I need to buy postage stamps today.
- ¿Dónde venden sellos postales por aquí?Where do they sell postage stamps around here?
- Los sellos postales son muy baratos.The postage stamps are very cheap.
Example conversation
Elena and Alejandro are at the post office.
- ElenaHola, ¿tienen sellos postales disponibles?Hello, do you have postage stamps available?
- AlejandroSí, Elena, tenemos de varios precios.Yes, Elena, we have several different prices.
- ElenaPerfecto, quiero diez sellos postales, por favor.Perfect, I want ten postage stamps, please.
- AlejandroAquí tiene, Alejandro se los entrega ahora.Here you go, Alejandro is giving them to you now.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
