Synonyms

> ¿Enseñar, mostrar o señalar?

The verb "to show" corresponds to two Spanish verbs: enseñar and mostrar. They mean the same and are distinguished only by the area of use: enseñar is used more in Spain, while mostrar, in Latin America:

(España) Señorita, ¿me enseña esos zapatos? = (América Latina) Señorita, ¿me muestra esos zapatos? – Could you show me those shoes, Miss?

The verb enseñar can also mean "to teach", and in this meaning it is equivalent to dar clases:

Juan me enseña español = Juan me da clases de español – Juan teaches me Spanish

You can teach some abstract notions:

A Juan su padre le enseñó la paciencia  – Juan’s father taught him patience (to be patient)

The verb mostrar with abstract notions is translated as "show, demonstrate" an attitude or mood:

Juan mostró paciencia = Juan manifestó paciencia, fue paciente – Juan showed patience

The verb señalar ivolves a pointing gesture (señal in Spanish means a sign, a gesture), so it is usually translated as "to point with a finger", "to point at":

La chica señaló (con el dedo) unos zapatos – The girl pointed at (with a finger) the shoes

Referred to a speech it means "to point out, to underline":

El presidente señaló (= resaltó) que esta ley no se aplica a los mayores de 65 años – The President pointed out that this law this law does not apply to persons over 65