Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| firma | /ˈfiɾma/ | feminine |
| rúbrica | /ˈrubɾika/ | feminine |
| signatura | /siɡnaˈtuɾa/ | feminine |
The most general and widely-used term for a person's autograph is firma. In formal contexts, you can use firma manuscrita to emphasize that a signature must be handwritten rather than digital or printed or firma autógrafa to emphasize that the signature must be personally written by the individual, often in legal situations. To express the action of signing, use the verb firmar or the phrase estampar la firma to mean 'to affix the signature'. You might also encounter the idiomatic expression poner la firma, which means to sign or to give one's approval to an agreement.
Which one should you use?
While firma refers to the signature itself, rúbrica refers specifically to the decorative flourish or the complex strokes that accompany a signature. Additionally, signatura is rarely used to mean an autograph. Instead, it is a technical term used in libraries to refer to a book's call number or shelf mark.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun firma is derived from the verb firmar, which is used to express the action of signing a document. If you need to indicate the action of initialing or signing, you can use the verb rubricar.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈfiɾma/
Did you know?
- The word rúbrica is actually named after the color red. It comes from the Latin word for 'red ochre', because historically, people used red ink to add decorative flourishes or headings to important documents.
- In Spanish legal history, the rúbrica was often considered more legally binding than the firma because the decorative strokes were much harder for a fraudster to mimic exactly.
- In historical Spanish documents, the rúbrica was sometimes used by people who were illiterate to sign their name, as a unique drawing was easier to consistently reproduce than letters.
Examples in context
- La firma era falsa.The signature was forged.This sentence is useful for describing a forged firma.Tatoeba #2268522 by cueyayotl, translation #2268521 by _undertoad
- Esa no es mi firma.That's not my signature.This sentence is useful for stating that a signature does not belong to you using firma.Tatoeba #3260655 by Shishir, translation #2713480 by CK
- Necesito tu firma aquí.I need your signature here.This sentence is useful for requesting someone's firma on a document.Tatoeba #1705596 by marcelostockle, translation #1543646 by CK
- Adjunte su firma manuscrita al final del formulario.Attach your handwritten signature at the end of the form.
- El testamento debe ser firmado con su firma autógrafa.The will must be signed with your personal signature.
- ¡Vaya firmón que tienes! No hay problema en reconocer tu firma.What a big and distinctive signature you have! There's no problem recognizing your signature.
- 11 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Javier and Sofía are signing a contract together.
- JavierSofía, ya puse mi firma en el papel.Sofía, I already put my signature on the paper.
- SofíaPerfecto, ahora yo pongo mi firma.Perfect, now I will put my signature.
- Javier¿Puedes firmar justo debajo de mi firma?Can you sign right below my signature?
- SofíaSí, listo. Ya está la firma.Yes, done. The signature is there.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “signature” translations and entries firma, rúbrica, signatura, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries firma, rúbrica, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
