Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
Show in Spanish: Mostrar, Espectáculo, and Programa
Mostrar · verb / noun · mohs-TRAHR
Show translates differently depending on meaning. The verb 'to show' is mostrar (mohs-TRAHR). A live show or spectacle is un espectáculo. A TV show is un programa. The English loanword show is common in informal Spanish.
Mostrar is mohs-TRAHR, two syllables. Espectáculo is ehs-pehk-TAH-koo-loh.
Muéstrame las fotos de tu viaje.
Show me the photos from your trip.
Show in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for show, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| mostrar | show | mohs-TRAHR | Default, widely understood |
| espectáculo | show | a show (performance, event) | |
| programa | show | TV show | |
| enseñar | show | to show / teach (Latin America) | |
| show | show | borrowed anglicism, widely used |
How Native Speakers Use Mostrar
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Showing something to someone
Te voy a mostrar cómo se hace.
I'm going to show you how it's done.
Mostrar is the verb for displaying or revealing something.
A live performance
El espectáculo de flamenco fue impresionante.
The flamenco show was impressive.
Espectáculo is a live performance or spectacle.
A TV show
¿Cuál es tu programa de televisión favorito?
What is your favorite TV show?
Programa is the standard word for a TV show or broadcast.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Mostrar
Using mostrar for a TV show
Incorrect: Vi un buen mostrar anoche.
Correct: Vi un buen programa anoche.
Mostrar is a verb meaning to display, not a noun for a show. Use programa for TV and espectáculo for live performances.
Confusing enseñar and mostrar
Incorrect: El maestro muestra matemáticas. (meaning teaches)
Correct: El maestro enseña matemáticas.
Enseñar means to teach (and sometimes to show). Mostrar is only to show or display, never to teach.
Lock in Show Vocabulary with the Parrot Method
Why word lists alone don't stick
Memorizing a translation feels productive, but most learners forget 70% of what they studied within 48 hours. Vocabulary needs spaced repetition AND real-world exposure to transfer to long-term memory.
See Mostrar used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using mostrar in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear Muéstrame las fotos de tu viaje. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
Save, review, repeat, stay consistent
Tap any word to save it. Parrot's spaced-repetition system surfaces it right before you'd forget, no manual flashcard creation. The watch, parrot back, save, review cycle turns recognition into fluency at 2.7x the speed of traditional study.
Common Questions About Show in Spanish
- How do you say show in Spanish?
- It depends on context: mostrar is the verb 'to show,' espectáculo is a live show, programa is a TV show, and the anglicism show is used informally.
- Can I just use 'show' in Spanish?
- Yes, the word show (pronounced like the English) is widely understood and used in casual speech across Latin America and Spain, especially for concerts and events.
- How do I say 'show me' in Spanish?
- Muéstrame (informal) or muéstreme (formal). It's the imperative of mostrar with a pronoun attached.