guía

Guía is a Spanish noun with two main senses. The first refers to a person who directs or leads others, especially a tour guide who accompanies visitors and provides information about sites, routes, and histories. The second sense designates a manual, handbook, or reference work designed to help someone perform tasks or understand a subject, such as una guía de viaje, una guía del usuario, or una guía de estudio.

Grammatical notes: guía is feminine; the plural is guías. The word is used widely in compound terms to name different kinds of manuals and directories, for example guía telefónica (telephone directory), guía de carretera (road atlas), and guía turística (tour guide).

Usage context: In travel and hospitality, the guía directly interacts with visitors and may offer explanations, translations, and recommendations. In publishing and technology, a guía serves as a structured resource that outlines steps, features, and best practices, such as user guides, installation guides, or study guides.

Etymology: guía comes from the verb guiar, meaning to guide or direct, through the historical formation of the noun that denotes the thing or person that guides. The term is used across Spanish-speaking communities to denote both people who lead and written resources that direct behavior or understanding.