punto
“punto” means “period” in Spanish. It has 5 different meanings depending on context:
period, full stop, dot
📝 In Action
Termina la frase con un punto.
A1End the sentence with a period.
Mi correo es [email protected], se escribe con un punto.
A1My email is [email protected], it's written with a dot.
point, place, spot
📝 In Action
El punto de encuentro es la estación de tren.
A2The meeting point is the train station.
Desde mi punto de vista, la idea es buena.
B1From my point of view, the idea is good.
Llegamos al punto más alto de la montaña.
B1We reached the highest point of the mountain.
point
Also: grade
📝 In Action
Nuestro equipo ganó por cinco puntos.
A2Our team won by five points.
Necesitas 80 puntos para aprobar el examen.
B1You need 80 points to pass the exam.
stitch
Also: knit
📝 In Action
El médico me tuvo que dar tres puntos en la rodilla.
B1The doctor had to give me three stitches in my knee.
Mi abuela me está enseñando a hacer punto.
B1My grandmother is teaching me how to knit.
Este suéter está hecho a punto.
B2This sweater is hand-knitted.
point
Also: verge
📝 In Action
La sopa está en su punto.
B2The soup is just right.
Estaba a punto de llamarte cuando llegaste.
B1I was about to call you when you arrived.
Llegó un punto en que no podía más.
B2It got to a point where I couldn't take it anymore.
Translate to Spanish
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: punto
Question 1 of 2
In the sentence 'Estaba a punto de salir cuando sonó el teléfono', what does 'a punto de' mean?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
From the Latin word 'punctum', which means 'a small hole made by pricking' or 'a point'. This original idea of a tiny mark expanded over time to include all its modern meanings, from a dot on a page to a point in a discussion.
First recorded: Around the 10th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between 'punto', 'punta', and 'puntero'?
Think of them like this: 'Punto' is a dot or a non-physical point (like a point in an argument). 'Punta' is the physical, sharp tip of something, like a pencil or a knife ('la punta del lápiz'). 'Puntero' is a tool used for pointing, like a laser pointer or the cursor on your computer screen.
How do I say 'decimal point' in Spanish?
For a decimal point in numbers (like 3.14), you use 'coma'. So, you would say 'tres coma catorce'. Using 'punto' for decimals is common in some parts of Latin America, but 'coma' is the standard in Spain and widely understood.
When would I use the phrase 'y punto'?
You use it to forcefully end a conversation or argument, much like saying 'and that's final!' or 'period!' in English. For example: 'No quiero ir a la fiesta, y punto.' (I don't want to go to the party, period.)