Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| mensaje de voz | /mensaxe de boθ/ (Spain, from spelling rules) /mensaxe de bos/ (Latin America, from spelling rules) |
masculine |
| mensaje vocal | /mensaxe bokal/ (from spelling rules) | masculine |
The term refers to a message left on a voice mail system. While mensaje de voz is the most common way to express this in most Spanish-speaking countries, there are several other terms used depending on the context and region.
Which one should you use?
mensaje de voz is the standard, common way to say voice message. mensaje vocal is a slightly more formal or technical alternative. In informal settings, particularly among younger generations, you may hear nota de voz. Additionally, in several countries across Latin America, the term audio is commonly used to refer to a voice message.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In several countries across Latin America, the word audio is a common way to refer to a voice message. The term nota de voz is also frequently used by younger generations in informal settings.
How does it change in a sentence?
To form the plural mensajes de voz (voice messages), you only pluralize the noun mensaje. The word voz remains in its singular form.
Did you know?
- The word vocal in mensaje vocal also means 'vowel' in Spanish, as both terms derive from the Latin word for voice.
- If you use the term audio to ask for a voice message in countries like Colombia or Mexico, you will sound like a local, even though it sounds like you are asking for a music file.
- The word mensaje shares a common ancestor with the English word 'message', both tracing back to the Latin verb 'mittere', which means 'to send'.
Examples in context
- Por favor, déjame un mensaje de voz después del tono.Please leave me a voice message after the beep.
- Tienes un nuevo mensaje en tu buzón de voz.You have a new voice message in your mailbox.
- Me enviaste un audio muy divertido.You sent me a very funny voice message.
- Gracias por la nota de voz, ¡me alegraste el día!Thanks for the voice message, you made my day!
- Acabo de recibir un voicemail tuyo.I just received a voice message from you.
- Escuché tu mensaje de voz esta mañana.I listened to your voice message this morning.
- Te dejé un mensaje de voz en el teléfono.I left you a voice message on the phone.
- ¿Recibiste mi mensaje de voz de ayer?Did you receive my voice message from yesterday?
Example conversation
Alejandro is calling Lucía back after seeing a missed call.
- AlejandroHola Lucía, vi que me dejaste un mensaje de voz.Hello Lucía, I saw that you left me a voice message.
- LucíaSí, es para saber si puedes trabajar mañana.Yes, it is to find out if you can work tomorrow.
- AlejandroSí, puedo. Gracias por el mensaje de voz.Yes, I can. Thanks for the voice message.
- LucíaPerfecto, nos vemos en la oficina.Perfect, see you at the office.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “voice message” translations and entries mensaje de voz, 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 de, mensaje, vocal, voz, CC BY-SA 4.0.
