Spanish Conversation · Level 115
59 words
Spanish word
distintivo
Pronunciation
IPA/distinˈtiβo/
Meaning
- masculine nounbadge
Example
El policía mostró su distintivo.
The police officer showed his badge.
More examples
En la empresa, cada empleado lleva su distintivo en la solapa.
In the company, each employee wears his or her badge on the lapel.
Core concept
Small emblem or patch pinned to a uniform indicating authority or institutional affiliation.
Common phrases
distintivo policial
police badge
distintivo de identificación
identification badge
llevar el distintivo
wear one's badge
Similar words
placa: Stamped metal plate issued as an official badge indicates rank, office, or authority.
gafete: Paper or plastic identification card on a lanyard or clip shows the holder's name and position.
insignia: Embroidered or metal badge on a uniform or cap indicates unit, organization, or rank.
chapa: Circular metal disc or pin worn on clothing indicates membership or official status.
Definition in Spanish
Insignia pequeña, normalmente de metal o tela, que se coloca en la ropa para identificar a una persona, su función o su pertenencia a una institución.
Word origin
Borrowed from Latin distinctivus built on distinguere 'to separate or mark as different', adopted into Spanish as a noun for an identifying sign.
Usage tips
- For official metal police badges speakers often use placa and for identity cards tarjeta, while distintivo normally refers to smaller wearable emblems.