notar
/no-TAR/
to notice
Notar: To notice something using your senses, like seeing a bright leaf.
notar(verb)
to notice
?perceiving something with your senses
to feel
?sensing a physical or emotional change
,to perceive
?becoming aware of a situation
📝 In Action
Noté un olor a café en cuanto entré.
A2I noticed a smell of coffee as soon as I walked in.
¿Notas el frío aquí?
A1Do you feel the cold here?
Se nota que estás cansado.
B1It’s noticeable that you are tired.
💡 Grammar Points
Using 'Se Nota'
Use 'se nota' when you want to say something is obvious or clear to everyone, like 'Se nota que te gusta' (It's obvious you like it).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Notar vs. Darse Cuenta
Mistake: "Using 'notar' for sudden realizations."
Correction: Use 'notar' for physical senses (smell, touch, sight). Use 'darse cuenta' for mental realizations (Oh! I forgot my keys!).
⭐ Usage Tips
The 'Senses' Rule
Think of 'notar' as something your body does naturally—like feeling a breeze or seeing a stain—rather than a deep thought.
Notar: To note something down or make a mark on paper.
notar(verb)
to note
?writing something down or marking it
to mark
?to annotate a document
📝 In Action
El secretario notó los nombres de los asistentes.
C1The secretary noted the names of the attendees.
⭐ Usage Tips
Modern Usage
In modern Spanish, people almost always use 'anotar' or 'apuntar' for writing things down. Using 'notar' for this sounds very old-fashioned or legalistic.
🔄 Conjugations
subjunctive
present
imperfect
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: notar
Question 1 of 2
How would you say 'It's obvious that you're happy'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'notar' the same as 'sentir'?
They are close! 'Sentir' is deeper and often refers to emotions or internal physical feelings (like pain). 'Notar' is more about observing a change or a specific detail with your senses.
Can I use 'notar' to mean 'to take notes'?
While technically correct, it's very rare today. You should use 'tomar notas' or 'anotar' instead.