almohadilla
/almoaˈdiʝa/
The English phrase pound sign is almohadilla in Spanish.
almohadilla is the standard way to refer to the '#' symbol in many Spanish-speaking regions, especially in technical or telephonic contexts.
What does it mean word for word?
The word almohadilla is the diminutive form of almohada (pillow), literally meaning 'little pillow'.
How do you pronounce it?
/almoaˈdiʝa/
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, calling the symbol a gato is common because the symbol looks like the grid used in a game of tic-tac-toe.
- The term almohadilla traces its lineage back to the Arabic word al-miḵadda, which also means a cushion or pillow.
- The word almohadilla can also refer to a small sewing cushion used for holding pins.
Examples in context
- Por favor, asegúrate de incluir el símbolo de libra al final de la cantidad indicada.Please make sure to include the pound symbol at the end of the specified amount.
- ¿Podrías anotarlo con el signo de número al final?Could you write it down with the number sign at the end?
- Para finalizar el mensaje, no olvides agregar un gato al final.To end the message, don't forget to add a pound sign at the end.
- Presiona la almohadilla para continuar.Press the pound sign to continue.
- Escribe la almohadilla al final.Write the pound sign at the end.
- Busca el símbolo de la almohadilla en el teclado.Look for the pound sign symbol on the keyboard.
Example conversation
Alejandro is helping María with a phone menu.
- María¿Dónde está la almohadilla?Where is the pound sign?
- AlejandroEstá en el teclado numérico.It is on the number pad.
- María¡Ah, ya la encontré!Ah, I found it!
- AlejandroPerfecto, ahora presiona llamar.Perfect, now press call.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry almohadilla, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries almohadilla, CC BY-SA 4.0.
