marcas
/MAHR-kahs/
brands
Marcas means "brands," referring to the names or symbols identifying commercial products.
marcas(noun)
brands
?commercial products
,marks
?physical signs or stains
scores
?sports or competition results
,stains
?unwanted spots
📝 In Action
Hay muchas marcas de coches en el mundo.
A1There are many car brands in the world.
Las marcas de zapatos se borraron de la arena.
A2The shoe marks were erased from the sand.
El equipo rompió todas las marcas en la natación.
B1The team broke all the records (marks) in swimming.
💡 Grammar Points
Gender and Number
As the plural form of the feminine noun 'marca,' you must use feminine articles and adjectives with it (e.g., 'las buenas marcas').
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing Noun and Verb
Mistake: "Using 'marcas' (noun) when the verb 'tú marcas' is needed in a sentence."
Correction: Remember the noun usually needs an article (las marcas), while the verb does not (tú marcas).
⭐ Usage Tips
Commercial vs. Physical
In daily conversation, 'marcas' almost always refers to commercial brands. If you mean a physical sign, often 'huellas' (footprints) or 'señales' (signs) are more specific.
When addressing someone informally, marcas means "you mark," referring to the action of making a sign or indication.
marcas(verb)
you mark
?informal singular 'tú' form
,you score
?in sports, informal singular 'tú' form
you dial
?calling a phone number
,you set
?setting a pace or limit
📝 In Action
¿Tú marcas los goles en cada partido?
A2Do you score goals in every game?
Si marcas este número, contactarás al servicio técnico.
B1If you dial this number, you will contact technical support.
Siempre marcas la respuesta correcta en el examen.
A2You always mark the correct answer on the exam.
💡 Grammar Points
The 'Tú' Form
'Marcas' is the verb form you use when talking directly to one person informally about what they are doing right now: 'Tú marcas el camino' (You mark the path).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Spelling Change in Preterite
Mistake: "Writing 'yo marcè' in the past tense."
Correction: Verbs ending in -car need a spelling change to keep the hard 'k' sound in the past tense: 'yo marqué' (I marked).
⭐ Usage Tips
Telephones
When talking about phones, 'marcar' is the verb used for 'to dial' or 'to call a number,' not necessarily 'llamar' (to call).
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: marcas
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'marcas' as a verb?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'marcas' the only form of the verb 'marcar'?
No, 'marcas' is just one specific form: it is the present tense form you use when speaking informally to one person ('tú'). The base form of the action is 'marcar' (to mark).
When does 'marcas' mean 'scores'?
When used as a noun, 'marcas' means 'scores' or 'records' primarily in a sports or competition context, referring to the highest achievements or results.