Inklingo

How to Say "failing grade" in Spanish

English → Spanish

suspenso

soo-SPEN-sosusˈpenso

nounB1academic
Use 'suspenso' when referring specifically to a failing grade on an exam, assignment, or course in an academic setting.
A sad student looking at a paper with a large red cross marked on it.

Examples

Saqué un suspenso en el examen final de historia.

I got a failing grade on the final history exam.

He sacado un suspenso en matemáticas.

I got a failing grade in math.

Si sacas otro suspenso, no podrás ir al viaje.

If you get another fail, you won't be able to go on the trip.

Counting Grades

In Spain, 'un suspenso' is treated as a countable noun, meaning you can have 'two fails' (dos suspensos).

Regional Confusion

Mistake: “Using 'suspenso' for a grade in Mexico.”

Correction: In Mexico and many other countries, use 'reprobado' or 'una nota reprobatoria'. 'Suspenso' for grades is mostly specific to Spain.

calabaza

kah-lah-BAH-sahkalaˈβaθa

nounB2informal
Use 'calabaza' to mean 'to fail someone' or 'to give someone the brush-off,' often in a social or romantic context, rather than a literal academic grade.
A sad character holding a single wilted flower while another character walks away.

Examples

Le pidió salir, pero ella le dio calabazas.

He asked her out, but she turned him down (gave him the brush-off).

Le pidió una cita, pero ella le dio calabazas.

He asked her out, but she turned him down.

He sacado calabazas en matemáticas.

I failed my math exam.

Using the plural

When talking about rejection or failing, we almost always use the plural form 'calabazas'.

Confusing Academic Failure with Rejection

Learners often confuse 'suspenso' and 'calabaza' because both imply failure. Remember that 'suspenso' is strictly for academic grades, while 'calabaza' is primarily used for social or romantic rejection, not for failing a class.

Related Translations

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