nota
/NOH-tah/
grade
In academics, 'nota' means grade or score.
📝 In Action
Mi hermana sacó la nota más alta de la clase.
A2My sister got the highest grade in the class.
¿Qué nota necesitas para aprobar el curso?
A1What mark do you need to pass the course?
💡 Grammar Points
Use of 'Sacar'
To talk about receiving a grade, Spanish often uses the verb 'sacar' (to take out), which translates functionally to 'to get' or 'to earn' a score.
⭐ Usage Tips
Context is Key
When talking about school, 'nota' almost always means 'grade.' In some countries, the scale might be 1-10, 1-5, or 1-7, so the meaning of 'buena nota' changes regionally.
'Nota' can refer to a short message or memo, like a sticky note.
nota(noun)
note
?a short written message or memo
record
?a brief written account
,remark
?a brief observation
📝 In Action
Dejé una nota a mi compañero de piso antes de salir.
A1I left a note for my roommate before leaving.
El director tomó nota de todos nuestros comentarios.
B1The director made a note of all our comments.
💡 Grammar Points
'Tomar nota'
The fixed phrase 'tomar nota' means 'to write something down' or 'to pay attention to something so you remember it later.' Do not use 'hacer' (to make) a note.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using 'hacer' with notes
Mistake: "Hice una nota."
Correction: Escribí una nota (I wrote a note) or Tomé una nota (I took a note).
A piece of paper money is also called a 'nota'.
nota(noun)
banknote
?piece of paper money
,bill
?paper currency
news report
?short article in a newspaper or broadcast
📝 In Action
El cajero me dio una nota de veinte dólares.
B1The cashier gave me a twenty-dollar bill.
La nota de portada en el diario habla de la crisis.
B2The front-page report in the newspaper talks about the crisis.
⭐ Usage Tips
Money vs. News
If you hear 'nota' used with numbers or currency, it means 'bill.' If you hear it used with 'periódico' (newspaper) or 'televisión,' it means 'news report.'
When talking about music, 'nota' means a single musical tone.
📝 In Action
El piano tocó la nota más alta de la melodía.
B1The piano played the highest note of the melody.
Hay una nota de tristeza en su voz.
C1There is a note of sadness in his voice.
💡 Grammar Points
Figurative Use
Like in English, 'nota' can be used figuratively to mean 'a hint,' 'a touch,' or 'a feeling' within a situation, emotion, or piece of art (e.g., 'una nota de ironía').
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: nota
Question 1 of 2
Which of these sentences uses 'nota' to mean 'banknote'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'nota' masculine or feminine?
'Nota' is always feminine: 'la nota'. Even when it refers to a banknote or a grade, you must use feminine adjectives with it (e.g., 'la nota alta', 'una nota nueva').
How can I tell the difference between 'nota' (grade) and 'calificación'?
They are often interchangeable, especially in Spain. 'Nota' is usually a simple score (like 8/10). 'Calificación' can sometimes be a broader rating or evaluation (like 'Apto' or 'No Apto'), but in casual school talk, they generally mean the same thing.