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How to Say "goals" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “goals” is “metas” — use 'metas' for general objectives or aims that you want to achieve, often in a personal or professional development context..

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metas

MEH-tas/ˈme.tas/

Noun (Plural)A1General
Use 'metas' for general objectives or aims that you want to achieve, often in a personal or professional development context.
A colorful illustration showing three distinct, bright targets or bullseyes standing upright on a grassy hill, symbolizing objectives or aims.

Examples

Tenemos que establecer metas claras para el próximo trimestre.

We have to establish clear goals for the next quarter.

Alcanzar mis metas me hace muy feliz.

Achieving my goals makes me very happy.

Las corredoras cruzaron las metas casi al mismo tiempo.

The runners crossed the finish lines almost at the same time.

Singular Form

The singular form is 'meta' (a goal, a finish line). Since it ends in 'a', it is a feminine noun, so you use 'la meta' or 'una meta'.

Gender Confusion

Mistake: “Using 'el metas' or 'los metas'.”

Correction: Since 'meta' is feminine, always use the feminine article: 'las metas' (the goals) or 'unas metas' (some goals).

objetivos

ohb-heh-TEE-vohs/oβxeˈtiβos/

Noun (Plural)A2General
Use 'objetivos' for specific personal or professional aims, often implying a more concrete plan or target to reach.
A storybook illustration showing an arrow hitting the center of a colorful bullseye target set up on a grassy field.

Examples

Mis objetivos para este año son viajar más y ahorrar dinero.

My goals for this year are to travel more and save money.

El equipo no cumplió con los objetivos de ventas del trimestre.

The team did not meet the sales targets for the quarter.

Establecer objetivos claros ayuda a mantenerse motivado.

Setting clear objectives helps you stay motivated.

Masculine Plural

Remember that 'objetivos' is masculine and plural. If you talk about just one goal, use 'objetivo' (singular).

Using the wrong gender

Mistake: “La objetivos”

Correction: Los objetivos. Because it is a masculine word, you must use the masculine articles ('los', 'unos', 'mis', etc.).

misiones

/mee-SYOH-ness//miˈsjones/

Noun (Plural)A2General
Use 'misiones' for specific, often challenging, objectives or tasks assigned to a person or group, like in a project or a game.
A group of hikers in uniforms holding maps and equipment, standing at the edge of a forest ready to start their task.

Examples

El equipo completó todas sus misiones con éxito.

The team completed all their missions successfully.

Las misiones espaciales ayudan a entender el universo.

Space missions help us understand the universe.

Losing the Accent Mark

When 'misión' becomes plural, the accent mark on the 'o' is dropped because the natural stress stays on the 'o' syllable (mee-SYOH-ness).

Feminine Plural

Always use feminine plural articles like 'las' or 'unas' with this word.

Keep the Accent?

Mistake: “misiónes”

Correction: misiones (no accent). In Spanish, we remove the written accent when the plural form no longer needs it to show where the stress goes.

sueños

Noun (Plural)B1General
Use 'sueños' when referring to very ambitious or long-term aspirations that are deeply desired, akin to 'dreams' rather than strict goals.

Examples

Uno de mis grandes sueños es viajar por todo el mundo.

One of my big dreams is to travel all over the world.

tantos

TAHN-tohs/ˈtan.tos/

Noun (Plural)B2Sports/Informal
Use 'tantos' specifically to refer to the score or points achieved in certain sports, like football or basketball.
A simple cartoon scoreboard showing two sides competing. One side is marked with five large colorful stars, and the opposing side is marked with three large colorful stars, visually representing the score.

Examples

El equipo local lleva tres tantos a cero.

The home team is leading three points to zero.

Faltan cinco minutos y necesitamos más tantos para empatar.

There are five minutes left and we need more points to tie.

Specific Context

When used as a noun, 'tantos' usually means 'points' or 'goals' in a game. It is always masculine and plural in this sense.

Overusing the Noun Form

Mistake: “Tengo muchos tantos para hacer hoy. (Meaning: I have many tasks to do today.)”

Correction: Tengo muchas cosas que hacer hoy. (Use 'tantos' only for scores, not general 'things' or 'tasks'.)

Metas vs. Objetivos

The most common confusion is between 'metas' and 'objetivos'. While both refer to aims, 'metas' is often more general, while 'objetivos' implies more specific, measurable targets. Think of 'metas' as broader ambitions and 'objetivos' as concrete steps or achievements.

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