Inklingo

How to Say "marks" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “marks” is “manchas” — use 'manchas' for general discolorations, smudges, or spots on a surface, like dirt or ink..

manchas🔊A1

Use 'manchas' for general discolorations, smudges, or spots on a surface, like dirt or ink.

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marcas🔊A1

Use 'marcas' for a broad range of physical signs, including brands, traces, or indentations left by something.

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señalesA1

Use 'señales' for physical marks that serve as indications, warnings, or signs, such as traffic signs or signals.

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puntos🔊A1

Use 'puntos' to refer to points, dots, or specific locations, often used in scoring or on a map.

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signos🔊A1

Use 'signos' specifically for written symbols, like punctuation marks or mathematical signs.

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cicatrices🔊B1

Use 'cicatrices' exclusively for physical scars left on the body after an injury or surgery.

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raya🔊A2

Use 'raya' (3rd person singular present of 'rayar') when the action of marking involves scratching or drawing a line on a surface.

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English → Spanish

manchas

MAHN-chas/ˈman.tʃas/

nounA1general
Use 'manchas' for general discolorations, smudges, or spots on a surface, like dirt or ink.
A white tablecloth with multiple visible red stains scattered across the surface.

Examples

Hay muchas manchas de café en mi camisa nueva.

There are many coffee stains on my new shirt.

El dálmata tiene muchas manchas negras.

The Dalmatian has many black spots.

Necesito un producto que quite las manchas difíciles.

I need a product that removes tough stains.

Gender Reminder

Remember that 'mancha' is a feminine word, so when you use it in plural ('manchas'), any words describing it must also be feminine plural (e.g., 'manchas oscuras' - dark spots).

marcas

MAHR-kahs/ˈmaɾkas/

nounA1general
Use 'marcas' for a broad range of physical signs, including brands, traces, or indentations left by something.
A row of three brightly colored commercial products: a soda bottle, a cereal box, and a shoe, each featuring a distinct, simple, stylized symbol representing a brand logo.

Examples

Hay muchas marcas de coches en el mundo.

There are many car brands in the world.

Las marcas de zapatos se borraron de la arena.

The shoe marks were erased from the sand.

El equipo rompió todas las marcas en la natación.

The team broke all the records (marks) in swimming.

Gender and Number

As the plural form of the feminine noun 'marca,' you must use feminine articles and adjectives with it (e.g., 'las buenas marcas').

Confusing Noun and Verb

Mistake: “Using 'marcas' (noun) when the verb 'tú marcas' is needed in a sentence.”

Correction: Remember the noun usually needs an article (las marcas), while the verb does not (tú marcas).

señales

nounA1general
Use 'señales' for physical marks that serve as indications, warnings, or signs, such as traffic signs or signals.

Examples

Hay muchas señales de tráfico en esta calle.

There are many traffic signs on this street.

puntos

/POON-tohs//ˈpuntos/

nounA1general
Use 'puntos' to refer to points, dots, or specific locations, often used in scoring or on a map.
A simple visual representation of scoring, showing three distinct circular score tokens placed in a designated scoring area, indicating accumulated points in a game.

Examples

Necesitas diez puntos más para ganar el partido.

You need ten more points to win the game.

Todos los puntos importantes están marcados en el mapa.

All the important points are marked on the map.

En matemáticas, una línea está formada por infinitos puntos.

In mathematics, a line is formed by infinite points (dots).

Masculine Plural

Since the singular form 'punto' is masculine, the plural 'puntos' always takes masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., 'los puntos,' 'unos puntos altos').

signos

SEEG-nohs/ˈsiɣnos/

nounA1general
Use 'signos' specifically for written symbols, like punctuation marks or mathematical signs.
Three brightly colored, simple road signs: a red stop sign octagon, a green directional arrow, and a yellow warning triangle with an exclamation point.

Examples

Necesitas poner los signos de puntuación correctos.

You need to put the correct punctuation marks.

Los signos más y menos son muy importantes en matemáticas.

The plus and minus signs are very important in mathematics.

Masculine Plural

Remember that 'signos' is a masculine word, so any descriptive words (adjectives) used with it must also be masculine and plural (e.g., 'los signos claros').

cicatrices

/see-kah-TREE-sehs//sikaˈtɾises/

nounB1general
Use 'cicatrices' exclusively for physical scars left on the body after an injury or surgery.
A close-up of a person's forearm with a faint, healed line showing a past wound.

Examples

Las cicatrices de la cirugía son casi invisibles ahora.

The scars from the surgery are almost invisible now.

El guerrero tenía muchas cicatrices en los brazos.

The warrior had many scars on his arms.

The Z to C Spelling Change

In Spanish, when a word ends in 'z' (like the singular 'cicatriz'), the 'z' always changes to a 'c' before adding '-es' to make it plural.

Spelling Error

Mistake: “cicatrizes”

Correction: cicatrices

raya

/RRAH-yah//ˈra.ʝa/

verbA2general
Use 'raya' (3rd person singular present of 'rayar') when the action of marking involves scratching or drawing a line on a surface.
A simplified cartoon hand holding a sharp object, actively dragging it across a flat green chalkboard, leaving a visible white scratch mark.

Examples

El lápiz raya la pared accidentalmente.

The pencil scratches the wall accidentally.

Si el carro raya la pintura, será caro.

If the car scratches the paint, it will be expensive.

¡Raya la zanahoria!

Grate the carrot! (Tú command)

Homophone Alert

'Raya' (the verb form) sounds exactly like 'raya' (the noun). Pay attention to the surrounding words to know if it's an action or a thing.

General Marks vs. Specific Signs

Learners often confuse 'marcas' and 'manchas' with more specific terms. While 'marcas' is a general term for any mark or brand, 'manchas' refers specifically to discolorations like stains. Use 'señales' for indicative marks like signs and 'signos' only for written symbols.

Related Translations

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