seño

See also: seno and se no

Spanish

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈseɲo/ [ˈse.ɲo]

Etymology 1

Clipping of señora or señorita.

Noun

seño f (plural seños)

1. (nonstandard, Mexico) Miss/Mrs (a shortened form of address for women, usually those who are 15 years or older, in some places 12 or older). Similar to English Ms.

   Oiga seño, ¿dónde ponemos este sillón?.

   Hey Miss/Mrs., where can we put this armchair?.

2. (Spain) Miss (a way for calling female teachers, especially for kids)

   Seño, ¿puedo ir al baño?

   Miss, can I go to the toilet?

Usage notes

• This form has grown somewhat in use, because it avoids conflict about the difference between señorita and señora, which imply marital status and are traditionally associated with virginity. For young single ladies, being called señora implies they are no longer virgins (and is therefore offensive), and for married women of a certain age, being called señorita implies being a spinster, not suitable for getting a husband (which is also offensive).
• For women younger than the indicated age, usually the term niña is used.

Further reading

• “seño”, in Diccionario de la lengua española, Vigésima tercera edición, Real Academia Española, 2014

Etymology 2

Verb

seño

1. first-person singular present indicative of señar

Anagrams

• no sé
• soné
• soñé