huella digital
/weʝa dixital/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'thumbprint' is translated into Spanish as huella digital.
A 'thumbprint' is a mark or print made by a thumb. In Spanish, huella digital is the standard term used to refer to both a general fingerprint and a specific thumbprint.
Meaning: a print or mark made by a thumb (noun)
Which one should you use?
While huella digital literally translates to 'digital print', it is the standard term used for both a thumbprint and a general fingerprint in Spanish.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, you may also see huella dactilar or impresión digital used to refer to a thumbprint. In Colombia, people often use the phrase huella del pulgar to mean 'thumbprint'.
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers might try to translate 'thumb' literally as 'pulgar' to say huella de pulgar, but huella digital is the much more natural and common way to refer to any finger/thumb print.
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, people who cannot sign their name legally use their huella digital on official documents as a legal signature.
- The word digital in huella digital does not refer to modern computers or electronic technology, but rather to the fingers themselves.
- The word huella stems from the old verb hollar, which means 'to tread' or 'to trample'.
Examples in context
- La huella digital está en el cristal.The thumbprint is on the glass.
- No dejes tu huella digital en la pantalla.Don't leave your thumbprint on the screen.
Example conversation
Alejandro and María are examining a dusty smartphone.
- AlejandroMira, hay una huella digital aquí.Look, there is a thumbprint here.
- MaríaEs muy pequeña para verla bien.It is too small to see it well.
- AlejandroNecesitamos limpiar la huella digital con cuidado.We need to clean the thumbprint carefully.
- MaríaTienes razón, Alejandro.You are right, Alejandro.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries digital, huella, CC BY-SA 4.0.
