Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| palomita | /paloˈmita/ | feminine |
| cotejo | /koˈtexo/ | masculine |
| ticket | /ˈtiket/ /ˈtike/ |
masculine |
| tic | /ˈtik/ | masculine |
| (el) aspa | /el ˈaspa/ (word by word) | feminine |
The translation of 'tick' in Spanish depends entirely on whether you are referring to a symbol, a sound or a physical movement. Use palomita for the visual checkmark symbol used to indicate selection or correctness. If you want to perform the action of checking a box, you can use the verb tiquear. If you are referring to a repetitive, rhythmic sound (like a clock), use tictac. If you are referring to an involuntary muscle twitch or a repetitive sensory sound, use tic.
What does it mean word for word?
The word palomita literally means 'little dove', which is why it is used colloquially to describe the shape of a checkmark.
Which one should you use?
palomita is used for a visual checkmark symbol. In contrast, tic refers to an involuntary physical movement or a repetitive sound. For the rhythmic sound of a clock, use the onomatopoeic tictac.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
palomita is a feminine noun. cotejo, ticket and tic are masculine nouns. (el) aspa is a feminine noun. The verb tiquear is used to mean 'to check/to tick a box', and tictaquear can be used to mean 'to make a clicking noise'.
How do you pronounce it?
/paloˈmita/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid using ticket to mean a checkmark. In Spanish, ticket refers to a receipt or a physical ticket for an event.
Did you know?
- While palomita is a common way to say 'checkmark', it is also the word used for a 'little dove' or even a piece of 'popcorn' in several Latin American countries.
- The word ticket is a linguistic doublet of etiqueta, meaning both words share a common historical root despite looking different today.
- While palomita means 'little dove' and is common in Mexico, other Spanish speaking countries might use cotejo or visto to describe a checkmark.
Examples in context
- Es un tic involuntario, por favor, no lo tenga en cuenta.It's an involuntary tick, please disregard it.This sentence uses tic to describe an involuntary movement.Tatoeba #1628548 by Shishir, translation #4473049 by XenoKat
- Es tan silencioso que puedes oír el tictac del reloj detrás de la pared.It is so quiet you can hear the clock tick behind the wall.This sentence uses tic to describe a sound.Tatoeba #5821958 by albrusgher, translation #5355080 by bmarrow
- Está tan tranquilo que uno puede oír el tictac del reloj detrás de la pared.It is so quiet one can hear the clock tick behind the wall.Tatoeba #5821964 by albrusgher, translation #5355079 by bmarrow
- Por favor, coloque un tique en cada una de las casillas correspondientes.Please mark a tick in each corresponding box.
- Haga una marca para indicar su preferencia.Make a tick to indicate your preference.
- Marca un chulito en la opción que prefieras.Make a tick in the option you prefer.
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alejandro and Lucía are reviewing a completed checklist.
- Alejandro¿Pusiste una palomita en la lista?Did you put a checkmark on the list?
- LucíaSí, ya puse la palomita en todo.Yes, I already put the checkmark on everything.
- AlejandroPerfecto, Lucía, gracias por revisarlo.Perfect, Lucía, thanks for checking it.
- LucíaDe nada, Alejandro, ya terminamos.You're welcome, Alejandro, we are finished.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “tick” translations and entries palomita, cotejo, ticket, tic, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (el, aspa) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cotejo, palomita, ticket, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
