palo para autofotos
/palo paɾa autofotos/from spelling rulesmasculine
The English phrase "selfie stick" is translated into Spanish as palo para autofotos. Wiktionary also lists palo para selfis and palo selfi.
Meaning: extendable arm to hold a camera (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| palo para autofotos | /palo paɾa autofotos/ (from spelling rules) | masculine |
| palo para selfis | /palo paɾa selfis/ (from spelling rules) | masculine |
| palo selfi | /palo selfi/ (from spelling rules) | masculine |
This refers to an extendable arm to hold a camera (noun).
What does it mean word for word?
The word palo literally means stick or pole.
Which one should you use?
The form palo para autofotos uses the Spanish word for "self-photos" (autofotos), whereas the other forms use the anglicism "selfi".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Palo para autorretratos is a formal way to say selfie stick. Palo de selfie and Palo para selfies are informal ways to say selfie stick. Using the word selfis is a more colloquial and modern way to refer to the device compared to the more descriptive autofotos.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun selfi is treated as a masculine noun in Spanish, so its plural is selfis.
How do you pronounce it?
/palo paɾa autofotos/
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, the word palo is a very common piece of slang for the penis, which makes the phrase for 'selfie stick' sound quite funny or even vulgar to locals.
- In some Spanish-speaking regions, the word palo is used in the expression dar un palo, which means to give someone a harsh criticism or a 'blow' instead of referring to a physical object.
- If you are in a political context and hear the word para, it might not be the preposition for 'for' used in 'palo para selfi', but rather a common abbreviation for 'paramilitar'.
Examples in context
- ¡Me olvidé mi palo de selfie en casa!I forgot my selfie stick at home!
- ¿Sabes dónde puedo comprar un palo para selfies aquí?Do you know where I can buy a selfie stick around here?
Example conversation
Alejandro and Sofía are taking photos at a tourist landmark.
- AlejandroSofía, ¿tienes el palo para autofotos?Sofía, do you have the selfie stick?
- SofíaSí, Alejandro, lo tengo en mi bolso.Yes, Alejandro, I have it in my bag.
- AlejandroPásamelo para tomar una foto juntos.Pass it to me to take a photo together.
- SofíaAquí tienes, ¡sonríe!Here you go, smile!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “selfie stick” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
