firmar
/fiɾˈmaɾ/
To sign in Spanish is firmar. Wiktionary also lists signar and rubricar.
Meaning: to write one's signature on a document (verb)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| firmar | /fiɾˈmaɾ/ |
| signar | /siɡˈnaɾ/ |
| rubricar | /rubɾiˈkaɾ/ |
The verb is used when you are writing your name or signature on a document or a contract. The noun for the signature itself is firma.
Which one should you use?
Use firmar when referring to the act of signing a document or a contract. The word signar should not be used for signing a name. It means to mark, designate or seal. rubricar is used specifically when adding a flourish or a specific mark, known as a rubric, to a signature.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some Latin American countries, the verb rubricar is used occasionally to mean sign instead of firmar.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
/fiɾˈmaɾ/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not use señalar (to point or signal) when you mean to sign a document.
Did you know?
- The word rubricar comes from the Latin word for 'red', referring to the historical practice of signing or marking documents in red ink.
- In some legal contexts, rubricar refers to signing every single page of a long contract with a short mark to prevent pages from being swapped, whereas firmar is only done once at the end.
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, a rúbrica is not just a signature but a complex, stylized flourish that follows the name to prevent forgery.
Examples in context
- ¿Tengo que firmar algo?Do I have to sign something?Tatoeba #2152696 by hayastan, translation #2064729 by CK
- No puedes firmar con lápiz.You can't sign with a pencil.Tatoeba #7276573 by arh, translation #9193516 by DJ_Saidez
- Tom olvidó firmar el cheque.Tom forgot to sign the check.Tatoeba #1287958 by marcelostockle, translation #1094061 by CK
- Por favor, firma el contrato.Please sign the contract.
- 53 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Daniel and Sofía are at a bank.
- DanielSofía, ¿puedes firmar este documento?Sofía, can you sign this document?
- SofíaSí, dame el bolígrafo para firmar.Yes, give me the pen to sign.
- DanielAquí tienes, ya puedes firmar.Here you go, you can sign now.
- SofíaListo, ya terminé de firmar.Done, I have finished signing.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sign” translations and entries firmar, signar, rubricar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries firmar, rubricar, signar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
