señala

Señala is the present indicative form used for él/ella/usted and, in formal address, you, of the Spanish verb señalar. The verb means to point out, indicate, signal, or mark something. It covers physical gesturing to draw attention as well as noting information verbally or in writing. For example, one can señar the route with a finger or señalar an error in a text. Metaphorically, señalado information can indicate a trend or a rule.

Etymology and sense. Señalar comes from the noun señal (signal, sign), which itself derives from Latin signum. The verb is a regular -ar verb and forms its present tense through the standard -ar paradigm.

Usage notes. Señala typically takes a direct object that is being indicated or pointed out, and may be followed by a destination, object, or person as the recipient of the gesture: “él señala la salida,” “ella señala al culpable.” It can also be used with a prepositional phrase: “señala con el dedo.” In addition to physical pointing, señalar can introduce information or errors: “el informe señala varias inconsistencias.” The form also appears in questions or subordinate clauses with other subjects, maintaining the same sense.

Conjugation gist. As a regular -ar verb, key present tense forms are: yo señalo, tú señalas, él señala, nosotros señalamos, vosotros señaláis, ellos señalan. Preterite forms are regular as well: señalé, señalaste, señaló, señalamos, señalasteis, señalaron; imperfect: señalaba, señalabas, señalaba, señalábamos, señalabais, señalaban.

See also. Señal, señalamiento, señalización; synonyms include indicar, apuntar, resaltar.