almohadilla
/almoaˈdiʝa/
The English phrase 'pound symbol' refers to the Spanish word almohadilla.
In many Spanish-speaking countries, almohadilla is the standard term for the hash or pound sign (#) used in digital and telephonic contexts, such as telephone numbers or computer programming. You can also refer to the symbol as signo de almohadilla.
What does it mean word for word?
The word almohadilla literally means 'little cushion' or 'small pad'.
Which one should you use?
While almohadilla is common, you may also see signo de almohadilla used to describe the symbol.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, the term almohadilla is used to refer to the pound symbol. In Mexican Spanish, people often use signo de número to describe the pound symbol.
How do you pronounce it?
/almoaˈdiʝa/
Did you know?
- While English uses 'pound' to describe the symbol #, in Spanish the word for the British currency pound is libra, which is never used for the hash sign.
- The word almohadilla comes from the Arabic word al-miḵadda, which also refers to a cushion or pillow.
- Because almohadilla means 'little cushion', the symbol # is conceptually linked to a soft pad rather than a weight or a currency unit.
Examples in context
- Por favor, incluye el símbolo de libra en el informe.Please include the pound symbol in the report.
- No te olvides de agregar el gato al final del mensaje.Don't forget to add the pound symbol at the end of the message.
- Presiona la almohadilla para continuar.Press the pound sign to continue.
- El código tiene una almohadilla al final.The code has a pound sign at the end.
- ¿Dónde está la almohadilla en el teclado?Where is the pound sign on the keyboard?
Example conversation
María and Javier are trying to follow automated phone instructions.
- MaríaDice que marque la almohadilla.It says to dial the pound sign.
- JavierNo encuentro la almohadilla en mi teléfono.I can't find the pound sign on my phone.
- MaríaEstá al lado del cero, Javier.It is next to the zero, Javier.
- JavierAh, ya la vi. Gracias, María.Ah, I saw it. Thanks, María.
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.
