Spanish · People & Family

"Mr." in Spanish: señor

el señor

Say it: seh-NYORmasculine · el señornoun/seˈɲoɾ/

Mr. is señor, as in el señor López. You also say señor alone for sir. Using usted with señor sounds polite with older adults.

Hotel desk

El señor López ya hizo el check-in.
Mr. López already checked in.
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How to pronounce señor

Say it

seh-NYOR

/seˈɲoɾ/

seh-NYOR. The ñ is ny. Soft final r.

"Mr." in Spanish: quick reference

SpanishEnglish
el señorMr. / the gentleman

Title before a surname or polite reference.

señor LópezMr. López

Everyday respectful address.

sí, señoryes, sir

Service replies.

Sr.Mr. (abbreviation)

Letters and forms.

How to use señor in real life

  1. 1Hotel desk

    El señor López ya hizo el check-in.

    Mr. López already checked in.

    Señor plus surname is the classic title.

  2. 2Helping a customer

    Señor, ¿prefiere esta mesa?

    Sir, do you prefer this table?

    Señor alone means sir.

  3. 3Delivery note

    Paquete para el señor Mendes.

    Package for Mr. Mendes.

    Labels still use señor.

Mistakes English speakers make with señor

Incorrect: Mr. López llegó temprano.

Correct: El señor López llegó temprano.

Use señor, not English Mr.

Incorrect: La señor López espera afuera.

Correct: El señor López espera afuera.

Señor is masculine. Señora is Mrs.

Good to know

Señor works as Mr. and as polite sir. With elders, usted plus señor feels warmer than a bare tú in service settings.

Try it in a ChatPal conversation

Calling a guest to the lobby

  1. ChatPal

    ¿El señor Rocha está en el lobby?

    Is Mr. Rocha in the lobby?

  2. You

    Sí. Buenos días, señor Rocha.

    Yes. Good morning, Mr. Rocha.

  3. ChatPal

    ¿Puede usted venir al mostrador?

    Can you come to the counter?

  4. You

    Claro. Voy enseguida.

    Of course. I'll come right away.

This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.

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"Mr." in other languages

FAQ

Common questions about "Mr." in Spanish

Is señor formal?

Yes. It is the polite Mr./sir form.

Señor vs señora?

Señor is for men. Señora is for women.

Do I need the surname?

Often yes: señor López. Alone, señor means sir.

Abbreviation?

Sr. on envelopes and forms.

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