Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| pegatina | /peɡaˈtina/ | feminine |
| calcomanía | /ˌkalkomaˈnia/ | |
| etiqueta adhesiva | /etiketa adesiba/ (from spelling rules) | feminine |
| adhesivo | /adeˈsibo/ | masculine |
| etiqueta | /etiˈketa/ | feminine |
| estíquer | /esˈtikeɾ/ | Latin America, masculine |
| sticker | /esˈtikeɾ/ | masculine |
These terms all refer to an adhesive label or decal.
What does it mean word for word?
The word pegatina is derived from the verb pegar (to stick/to glue), literally referring to something that is stuck on.
Which one should you use?
While etiqueta can mean sticker, it more generally refers to a standard label (like a price tag or a clothing label) and lacks the specific connotation of a decorative decal. For technical or commercial contexts where you are referring to the object as an adhesive rather than a decorative image, use adhesivo. In digital contexts (like WhatsApp or Instagram), the English word sticker is frequently used directly in Spanish to refer to digital stickers.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Pegatina is more prevalent in Spain, whereas calcomanía is a common term for stickers or decals in many Latin American countries. In some Latin American regions, you may also hear estíquer, which is a phonetic adaptation of the English word 'sticker'.
How does it change in a sentence?
pegatina and etiqueta adhesiva are feminine nouns. adhesivo and sticker are masculine nouns. calcomanía is a feminine noun. estíquer is a masculine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
/peɡaˈtina/
Did you know?
- The word etiqueta is used in Spanish to describe both a physical label and social 'etiquette'. Both meanings derive from the French practice of using labels to indicate where people should stand in court.
- While pegatina refers to the physical object, the verb pegar also means 'to hit'. In some contexts, saying something is pegado can refer to a punch or a blow.
- The word etiqueta shares a surprising ancestry with the English word 'ticket', as both trace back to the same French root étiquette.
Examples in context
- Por favor, pega la etiqueta en el paquete.Please stick the sticker on the package.
- Asegúrate de que la calcomanía esté bien pegada en el parabrisas.Make sure the sticker is well stuck on the windshield.
- El adhesivo se desprende fácilmente si no está de buena calidad.The sticker easily comes off if it's not of good quality.
- ¡Me gustaría una pegatina de tu banda favorita!I would like a sticker of your favorite band!
- ¡No olvides poner la calca en tu mochila!Don't forget to put the sticker on your backpack!
- La pegatina es de color rosa.The sticker is pink.
- He perdido la pegatina de mi cuaderno.I lost the sticker from my notebook.
- ¿Quieres esta pegatina para tu portátil?Do you want this sticker for your laptop?
Example conversation
Lucía and Alejandro are looking at a notebook at a desk.
- Lucía¿Te gusta esta pegatina?Do you like this sticker?
- AlejandroSí, es muy bonita.Yes, it is very pretty.
- LucíaTe la puedes quedar, Alejandro.You can keep it, Alejandro.
- AlejandroMuchas gracias, Lucía.Thank you very much, Lucía.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sticker” translations and entries pegatina, calcomanía, adhesivo, etiqueta, estíquer, sticker, 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.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries adhesivo, etiqueta, pegatina, CC BY-SA 4.0.
