firmar
verbCEFR B1
What does “firmar” mean in English?
to sign
to sign (a document, contract, or form); firmar en el recuadro; noun: la firma
Example sentences
Antes de firmar el contrato, le recomiendo que lo lea detenidamente y consulte con un asesor jurídico si hay alguna cláusula que no comprenda.
Before signing the contract, I recommend you read it carefully and consult a legal advisor if there is any clause you do not understand.
Firmó todos los documentos ante notario para que la transmisión de la propiedad tuviera validez legal desde el primer momento.
She signed all the documents before a notary so that the transfer of ownership would have legal validity from the outset.
¿Podría usted firmar en el recuadro inferior derecho de cada página y rubricar el resto de los documentos, por favor?
Could you please sign in the lower right-hand box on each page and initial the remaining documents?
How to use it
Firmar means 'to sign' (a document, contract, or form). The noun pair is la firma (signature) or la rúbrica (paraph/stylised initial used in Spain). Firmar requires a direct object (el contrato, el documento, el recibo). In formal correspondence it collocates with instrucciones for authentication: firmar en el recuadro indicado / en el espacio reservado a tal efecto. Firmar en nombre de alguien = to sign on behalf of someone.
Common mistake
La firma means both the act of signing and the result (the signature itself). La rúbrica is the decorative mark or initial (common in Spain on ID documents). Do not use signar — this is legal/archaic. Firmar en nombre de = to sign on behalf of, not 'a nombre de'.