muestra
/ˈmwestɾa/
The English phrase 'shows' can be translated into Spanish as muestra.
The term muestra is used to describe the act of displaying something or making it visible to others. It can function as a noun meaning 'sample' or 'specimen'.
Which one should you use?
While muestra is used for displaying or making something visible, if the context of 'showing' implies teaching or instructing someone, you should use enseñar instead.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, the word funciones is a common way to refer specifically to theater performances.
How does it change in a sentence?
When the subject of the sentence is plural, the verb changes from muestra to muestran (they show).
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈmwestɾa/
Did you know?
- While muestra refers to displaying, the related verb mostrar is often used in the phrase mostrar los dientes to describe someone revealing their aggression.
- The word muestra comes from the Latin 'monstrare', which is the same root used to form the English word 'demonstrate'.
- The term muestra is used in art to describe a 'collective exhibition', often appearing as muestra colectiva in galleries.
Examples in context
- El enlace se muestra en la pantalla.The link shows on the screen.This sentence demonstrates how muestra is used to describe an object appearing on a screen.Tatoeba #8379754 by arh, translation #8384079 by cromwellt
- Eso sólo muestra que no eres un robot.It only shows you're not a robot.This sentence shows how muestra is used to demonstrate a fact or state of being.Tatoeba #2660 by Shishir, translation #1455 by mrtaistoi
- Me gusta esta foto porque muestra mi virilidad.I like this photo because it shows my virility.This sentence illustrates the use of muestra in the context of a photo displaying a characteristic.Tatoeba #4375537 by pchamorro, translation #3246494 by barb
- Vamos a ver un showLet's watch a show
- Me encanta esa serieI love that TV show
- Voy a ver un espectáculoI'm going to see a show
- Voy a disfrutar de una funciónI'm going to enjoy a performance
- Voy a un concierto de rockI'm going to a rock concert
- Me encanta 'La Casa de Papel'I love 'Money Heist'
- 26 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucía and Mateo are looking at a digital art gallery on a tablet.
- LucíaMateo, mira la tablet.Mateo, look at the tablet.
- Mateo¡Qué increíble! La pantalla muestra colores muy brillantes.How incredible! The screen shows very bright colors.
- LucíaEs verdad, la calidad es impresionante.It's true, the quality is impressive.
- MateoMe encanta cómo Lucía eligió estas fotos.I love how Lucía chose these photos.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry muestra, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries muestra, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
