Inklingo

How to Say "level" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “level” is “nivel” — use 'nivel' when referring to a general height, position, or standard, like the water level or a skill level.

nivel🔊A2

Use 'nivel' when referring to a general height, position, or standard, like the water level or a skill level.

Learn more →
altura🔊B1

Use 'altura' to refer to a specific position or degree reached, often in time or a process, like 'at this point'.

Learn more →
escala🔊A2

Use 'escala' when talking about a scale, like on a map, or a range of measurement.

Learn more →
estándar🔊B1

Use 'estándar' to refer to a required or expected degree of achievement, quality, or performance.

Learn more →
llano🔊A1

Use the adjective 'llano' to describe a surface that is flat and even, without slopes or irregularities.

Learn more →
plano🔊A1

Use the adjective 'plano' to describe something that is perfectly flat and horizontal, especially in construction or design.

Learn more →
escalón🔊B1

Use 'escalón' metaphorically to represent a rank or grade in a progression, like a step up in a career.

Learn more →
grado🔊B2

Use 'grado' to indicate the intensity or extent of something, such as the degree of risk or temperature.

Learn more →
calibre🔊B2

Use 'calibre' to describe the quality or standard of a person or thing, often implying high quality or importance.

Learn more →
talla🔊C1

Use 'talla' to refer to the stature or level of achievement, especially of a person, often in an artistic or professional context.

Learn more →
instancia🔊C1

Use 'instancia' to refer to a level of authority or hierarchy, particularly in legal or administrative contexts.

Learn more →
English → Spanish

nivel

nee-VELniˈβel

nounA2general
Use 'nivel' when referring to a general height, position, or standard, like the water level or a skill level.
A simple green and yellow spirit level tool resting horizontally on a flat wooden plank, showing the air bubble perfectly centered between the two indicator lines, signifying a perfect level.

Examples

El nivel del agua está subiendo muy rápido.

The water level is rising very fast.

Para este trabajo, necesitas un nivel de inglés muy alto.

For this job, you need a very high level of English.

¡Por fin pasé al siguiente nivel del videojuego!

I finally passed to the next level of the video game!

Always Masculine: 'el nivel'

Even though it ends in '-l', 'nivel' is a masculine word. Always say 'el nivel' (the level) or 'un nivel' (a level).

Floors in a Building: 'Nivel' vs. 'Piso'

Mistake: “Vivo en el tercer nivel.”

Correction: Vivo en el tercer piso. 'Piso' is the standard word for the floor or story of a building where people live or work. 'Nivel' is more for parking garages or general layers.

altura

ahl-TOO-rahalˈtu.ɾa

nounB1general
Use 'altura' to refer to a specific position or degree reached, often in time or a process, like 'at this point'.
A brightly colored hot air balloon positioned high up in the clear blue sky over a green landscape, demonstrating its level or position.

Examples

A esta altura del partido, ya no podemos ganar.

At this point/stage of the game, we can no longer win.

El coche se detuvo a la altura del semáforo.

The car stopped level with (or opposite) the traffic light.

Positional Use

When you use 'a la altura de' (at the height of), it describes something being directly across from or on the same plane as another object.

escala

es-KAH-lahesˈka.la

nounA2general
Use 'escala' when talking about a scale, like on a map, or a range of measurement.
A massive green tree standing next to a tiny, identical miniature model of the tree, illustrating a size ratio.

Examples

La escala del mapa es de uno a diez mil.

The scale of the map is one to ten thousand.

Necesitamos medir la temperatura en la escala Celsius.

We need to measure the temperature on the Celsius scale.

Always Feminine

Remember that 'escala' is always a feminine noun, so you must use 'la escala' or 'una escala' before it.

estándar

ehs-TAHN-daresˈtandaɾ

nounB1general
Use 'estándar' to refer to a required or expected degree of achievement, quality, or performance.
A perfectly formed, shiny golden star resting on a small, sturdy wooden pedestal, symbolizing a high level of quality or expectation.

Examples

Debemos mantener un alto estándar de calidad en el servicio.

We must maintain a high standard of quality in the service.

La empresa revisa constantemente sus estándares de producción.

The company constantly reviews its production standards.

El estándar de vida en la capital es muy caro.

The standard of living in the capital is very expensive.

Gender Tip

Even though it ends in 'r' (like many feminine nouns borrowed from English), 'estándar' is masculine. Always use 'el' or 'un' with it.

Using the wrong article

Mistake: “La estándar de calidad.”

Correction: El estándar de calidad. Remember it's masculine!

llano

yah-noˈʝano

adjectiveA1general
Use the adjective 'llano' to describe a surface that is flat and even, without slopes or irregularities.
A smooth, flat wooden tabletop with a single green apple sitting on it.

Examples

El terreno es muy llano y perfecto para construir.

The land is very flat and perfect for building.

Me gusta su lenguaje llano porque todos lo entienden.

I like his simple language because everyone understands him.

A pesar de su fama, sigue siendo un hombre llano.

Despite his fame, he is still a down-to-earth man.

Changing for Gender

Since this is an adjective, remember to change the ending to 'llana' if the person or thing you are describing is feminine (e.g., 'una superficie llana').

Word Stress Category

In Spanish grammar lessons, you will hear about 'palabras llanas'. These are words where you put the emphasis on the second-to-last syllable, like 'casa' or 'perro'.

Llano vs. Plano

Mistake: “Using 'llano' for a map or a 2D floor plan.”

Correction: Use 'plano' for maps or diagrams. Use 'llano' for physical ground or personality.

plano

plah-nohˈplano

adjectiveA1general
Use the adjective 'plano' to describe something that is perfectly flat and horizontal, especially in construction or design.
A perfectly smooth, wide green field extending flatly to the horizon under a clear blue sky, emphasizing the level, two-dimensional nature of the surface.

Examples

Necesitamos una superficie completamente plana para construir la pared.

We need a completely flat surface to build the wall.

La carretera es muy plana aquí; no hay colinas.

The road is very level here; there are no hills.

Gender Agreement

As an adjective, 'plano' must match the noun it describes. Use 'plano' for masculine nouns (el muro plano) and 'plana' for feminine nouns (la tabla plana).

escalón

es-ka-LONeskaˈlon

nounB1general
Use 'escalón' metaphorically to represent a rank or grade in a progression, like a step up in a career.
A small character standing on one level of a set of rising platforms.

Examples

Este ascenso es un gran escalón en mi carrera.

This promotion is a big step in my career.

Estamos en el último escalón de la negociación.

We are at the final stage of the negotiation.

Aún le falta un escalón para llegar a la cima del éxito.

He is still one level away from reaching the top of success.

Figurative Masculine

Even when used figuratively for abstract ideas like 'success' or 'career,' the word remains masculine: 'un escalón'.

grado

GRAH-dohˈɡɾa.ðo

nounB2general
Use 'grado' to indicate the intensity or extent of something, such as the degree of risk or temperature.
A transparent glass beaker standing on a table, partially filled halfway up with bright blue liquid.

Examples

Tenemos que evaluar el grado de riesgo antes de invertir.

We have to evaluate the level of risk before investing.

El conflicto ha alcanzado un alto grado de complejidad.

The conflict has reached a high degree of complexity.

Abstract Use

This meaning is often followed by 'de' plus an abstract concept (e.g., 'grado de dificultad,' 'grado de madurez').

calibre

kah-LEE-braykaˈli.βɾe

nounB2general
Use 'calibre' to describe the quality or standard of a person or thing, often implying high quality or importance.
A single, flawless, highly polished golden trophy cup resting on a simple, illuminated pedestal, symbolizing high quality and excellence.

Examples

Necesitamos contratar a un profesional de alto calibre para liderar el equipo.

We need to hire a professional of high caliber (high quality) to lead the team.

La crisis fue de un calibre que nadie había anticipado.

The crisis was of a magnitude that no one had anticipated.

Figurative Use

When used figuratively, 'calibre' usually follows 'de' (of) to describe the quality or level of a person or situation.

Confusing Quality and Size

Mistake: “Usar 'calibre grande' para decir 'great quality'.”

Correction: Use 'alto calibre' or 'gran calibre' when talking about quality, not 'calibre grande' (which sounds like physical size).

talla

TAH-yahˈtaʎa

nounC1general
Use 'talla' to refer to the stature or level of achievement, especially of a person, often in an artistic or professional context.
A single, large, highly polished gemstone with perfect facets resting on a velvet cloth, emphasizing its superior quality.

Examples

Es un artista de talla internacional, conocido en todo el mundo.

He is an artist of international caliber, known worldwide.

El equipo necesita un delantero de la talla de Messi.

The team needs a forward of the stature (or quality) of Messi.

Figurative Use

This is a figurative extension of the meaning 'height' or 'size.' If someone is of 'gran talla,' it means they are highly important or skilled, as if they are 'tall' in the field.

instancia

een-STAHN-syahinsˈtan.sja

nounC1formal
Use 'instancia' to refer to a level of authority or hierarchy, particularly in legal or administrative contexts.
A series of three stone podiums of increasing heights, representing different levels.

Examples

El caso se resolverá en primera instancia.

The case will be resolved in the first instance (the first level of court).

Elevaremos la queja a las altas instancias del gobierno.

We will take the complaint to the high levels of the government.

No podemos intervenir en esta instancia del proceso.

We cannot intervene at this stage of the process.

Prepositions with Stages

When talking about legal stages, we usually use the preposition 'en' (e.g., 'en primera instancia').

Nivel vs. Llano/Plano

The most common confusion is between 'nivel' and the adjectives 'llano' or 'plano'. Remember that 'nivel' is a noun referring to height or a standard, while 'llano' and 'plano' are adjectives describing a flat, even surface.

Related Translations

Learn Spanish with Inklingo

Interactive stories, personalized learning, and more.