señor
/seˈɲoɾ/
The English verb "sire" is translated into Spanish as engendrar.
In Spanish, the word señor is a noun meaning "sir" or "mister". It is the most common and widely used term for addressing someone formally. However, if you are looking for the actual verb meaning "to sire" or "to beget", you should use engendrar.
Meaning: to father, beget (verb)
Which one should you use?
While señor is used to address a person as "sir" or "mister", it is a noun and does not carry the meaning of the verb "to sire".
How does it change in a sentence?
Note that señor is a noun, whereas the action of siring or begetting is expressed by the verb engendrar.
How do you pronounce it?
/seˈɲoɾ/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not use señor to mean the verb "to sire". Instead, use engendrar.
Did you know?
- In Spanish, señor can be added to masculine nouns to elevate them or give them more importance, similar to how it functions as a title for people.
- While engendrar means 'to sire', it is frequently used in Spanish to describe the 'creation' of an abstract idea or a conflict rather than just biological offspring.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, addressing someone as señor without their last name can sometimes feel overly distant or ironically formal depending on the social context.
Example conversation
Javier and María are discussing animal breeding.
- JavierEste caballo es perfecto para señor campeones.This horse is perfect to sire champions.
- MaríaTienes razón, tiene un linaje increíble.You are right, he has an incredible lineage.
- JavierQuiero que él sea el semental principal.I want him to be the primary sire.
- MaríaEstoy de acuerdo, Javier.I agree, Javier.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry señor, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries señor, CC BY-SA 4.0.
