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How to Say "record" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “record” is “grabar” — use this when referring to the action of capturing audio, video, or data, like recording a TV show or your voice.

grabar🔊A2

Use this when referring to the action of capturing audio, video, or data, like recording a TV show or your voice.

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registro🔊A2

Use this for a written or digital file that logs information, such as a system log or a logbook.

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documento🔊A1

Use this for any official historical or digital file that needs to be signed or consulted, like a contract or a report.

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historial🔊B1

Use this for a cumulative history of a person's activities or status, like medical, credit, or browsing history.

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antecedente🔊B1

Use this for an official history, often related to legal or criminal matters, or a person's background.

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grabaciónA1

Use this for the result of recording, referring to a specific piece of audio or video content.

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marca🔊B1

Use this for a record in terms of a highest score, best time, or a specific achievement.

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récordB1

Use this for a record in terms of a best achievement or performance, often in sports or competitions.

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disco🔊A1

Use this for a physical music format, specifically a vinyl record.

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álbumA1

Use this for a collection of records, specifically a music album or a photo album.

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constancia🔊B2

Use this for an official piece of documentation or evidence that serves as proof of something.

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asiento🔊B2

Use this for an official registration or entry, particularly in accounting or official logs.

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plato🔊B2

Use this, especially in Latin America, for a vinyl record disc.

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discográficoB1

Use this adjective when referring to anything related to the record industry or music labels.

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certificado🔊A1

Use this for a specific type of official record that certifies facts, like a birth or medical certificate.

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nota🔊A1

Use this for a brief written account or message, like a note left for someone.

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tome🔊B1

This is a less common translation, used in specific contexts to mean 'to take' a photograph or measurement, similar to 'hacer' or 'tomar' (verb).

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English → Spanish

grabar

grah-BAHRɡraˈβaɾ

verbA2
Use this when referring to the action of capturing audio, video, or data, like recording a TV show or your voice.
A large, simple illustration of a silver vintage studio microphone placed on a stand, suggesting the act of recording sound.

Examples

¿Puedes grabar el partido de fútbol para verlo después?

Can you record the soccer game so we can watch it later?

Estoy grabando un mensaje de voz para mi madre.

I am recording a voice message for my mother.

Asegúrate de grabar todos los cambios en el documento.

Make sure to save all the changes in the document.

Simple Conjugation

Since 'grabar' is a regular '-ar' verb, you can use its endings as a template for hundreds of other common verbs like 'hablar' (to talk) and 'cantar' (to sing).

registro

reh-HEES-trohreˈxistɾo

nounA2
Use this for a written or digital file that logs information, such as a system log or a logbook.
A thick, open ledger book with handwritten entries on a wooden desk.

Examples

El sistema guarda un registro de todas las llamadas.

The system keeps a record of all the calls.

Encontré un registro antiguo de mi abuelo en la biblioteca.

I found an old entry for my grandfather in the library.

Always Masculine

Even though it ends in '-o', remember to always use the masculine articles: 'el registro' or 'un registro'.

documento

do-ku-MEN-todo.kuˈmen.to

nounA1
Use this for any official historical or digital file that needs to be signed or consulted, like a contract or a report.
A pristine white sheet of official paper lying flat, marked only by a large, colorful, abstract geometric seal in the corner, representing an official document.

Examples

Necesito firmar este documento antes de irme.

I need to sign this document before I leave.

¿Tienes tu documento de identidad a mano?

Do you have your ID (identity document) handy?

El abogado revisó todos los documentos legales del caso.

The lawyer reviewed all the legal documents for the case.

Gender Rule

Even though 'documento' ends in '-o', which usually means it's masculine, remember that the word for 'paper' is also masculine: 'el papel'.

Confusing Paper Types

Mistake: “Using 'papel' when you mean a formal record.”

Correction: Use 'documento' for official records (like a contract or a passport). Use 'papel' for the material itself (like toilet paper or writing paper).

historial

ee-stoh-ree-AHLis.toˈɾjal

nounB1
Use this for a cumulative history of a person's activities or status, like medical, credit, or browsing history.
A simple, colorful illustration showing a winding, dotted line connecting three distinct digital icons representing a sequence of past online activities: a magnifying glass, a shopping cart, and a video camera.

Examples

Borré mi historial de navegación antes de prestar mi computadora.

I deleted my browsing history before lending my computer.

Necesitas enviar tu historial crediticio para solicitar el préstamo.

You need to submit your credit history/record to apply for the loan.

El historial médico de la paciente está en el sistema.

The patient's medical record is in the system.

Always Masculine

Even though 'historia' (history/story) is feminine, 'historial' is always masculine, so you must use 'el historial' or 'un historial'.

Historial vs. Historia

Mistake: “Using 'historia' when referring to a log or record of actions (e.g., *la historia de navegación*).”

Correction: Use 'historial' for lists of past data or activity (e.g., *el historial de navegación*). Use 'historia' for the academic subject, storytelling, or the general past of a country.

antecedente

an-te-seh-DEN-tehanteseˈdente

nounB1formal
Use this for an official history, often related to legal or criminal matters, or a person's background.
A stack of old leather-bound books and a family tree scroll on a wooden table.

Examples

La policía revisó sus antecedentes antes de darle el trabajo.

The police checked his background before giving him the job.

No hay antecedentes de una tormenta tan fuerte en esta ciudad.

There is no precedent for such a strong storm in this city.

El paciente no tiene antecedentes médicos de importancia.

The patient has no significant medical history.

Using the Plural

When talking about a person's life history or criminal record, you almost always use the plural form: 'los antecedentes'.

The 'Before' Word

In school, this word is used to describe the person or thing you mentioned first before using a word like 'who' or 'which' (e.g., in 'The boy who ran', 'the boy' is the antecedente).

Record vs. Recuerdo

Mistake: “Usar 'record' para hablar de historia criminal.”

Correction: Use 'antecedentes' for a history/record. 'Record' (the English word) sounds like 'recuerdo' (memory) or 'récord' (a sports trophy), which are different.

grabación

nounA1
Use this for the result of recording, referring to a specific piece of audio or video content.

Examples

¿Puedes subir el volumen de la grabación, por favor?

Can you turn up the volume of the recording, please?

marca

MAR-cahˈmaɾka

nounB1
Use this for a record in terms of a highest score, best time, or a specific achievement.
A joyful runner crossing a finish line ribbon that snaps dramatically, indicating a successful completion and a new record.

Examples

El nadador rompió la marca nacional.

The swimmer broke the national record.

Su mejor marca personal es de 10.5 segundos.

His personal best time is 10.5 seconds.

Verb Pairing

To talk about setting or achieving a record, use the verb 'establecer' (to establish). To beat a record, use 'romper' (to break) or 'superar' (to overcome).

récord

nounB1
Use this for a record in terms of a best achievement or performance, often in sports or competitions.

Examples

El atleta rompió el récord mundial de los 100 metros planos.

The athlete broke the world record for the 100-meter dash.

disco

DEES-kohˈdisko

nounA1
Use this for a physical music format, specifically a vinyl record.
A close-up illustration of a black vinyl record with a colorful label at its center.

Examples

Mi abuelo todavía escucha música en discos de vinilo.

My grandfather still listens to music on vinyl records.

Este es el nuevo disco de mi banda favorita.

This is the new album by my favorite band.

Masculine Noun Rule

'Disco' is always masculine, so you must use 'el' or 'un' before it, even though it ends in '-o'.

álbum

nounA1
Use this for a collection of records, specifically a music album or a photo album.

Examples

Mi abuela guarda todas las fotos antiguas en un álbum.

My grandmother keeps all the old photos in an album.

constancia

kons-TAHN-syahkonsˈtanθja

nounB2formal
Use this for an official piece of documentation or evidence that serves as proof of something.
A formal document with a gold wax seal and a blue ribbon.

Examples

Quiero dejar constancia de mi desacuerdo en el acta.

I want to put my disagreement on the record in the minutes.

No hay constancia de que él estuviera allí.

There is no record that he was there.

Pide una constancia de estudios en la oficina.

Ask for a certificate of enrollment at the office.

Record of what?

When you want to say 'record of' something, use the word 'de'. For example: 'constancia de pago' (proof of payment).

Constancia vs. Record

Mistake: “Mira mi record de notas.”

Correction: Mira mi constancia de notas. While 'récord' is used for sports achievements, 'constancia' is used for official school or work documents.

asiento

ah-SYEN-tohaˈsjento

nounB2formal
Use this for an official registration or entry, particularly in accounting or official logs.
A close-up view of a hand holding a quill pen poised above a large, open, blank leather-bound book, symbolizing the act of recording a financial transaction.

Examples

El contador hizo un asiento doble para corregir el error.

The accountant made a double entry to correct the error.

Revisamos los asientos de gastos del último trimestre.

We reviewed the expenditure records for the last quarter.

Technical Use

This meaning relates to the core verb 'asentar' (to record or to set down). In business, it means placing information into a book or ledger.

plato

PLAH-tohˈplato

nounB2
Use this, especially in Latin America, for a vinyl record disc.
A glossy black vinyl record disc with visible grooves.

Examples

Ese DJ tiene una colección de platos antiguos impresionante.

That DJ has an impressive collection of old records (vinyl).

Añade un poco de sonido con los platos de la batería.

Add some sound with the cymbals of the drum kit.

Figurative Use

This meaning is based on the object's round, flat shape. When talking about music, 'plato' often specifically means a vinyl record, especially in informal settings.

discográfico

adjectiveB1
Use this adjective when referring to anything related to the record industry or music labels.

Examples

El mercado discográfico ha cambiado mucho con las plataformas digitales.

The record market has changed a lot with digital platforms.

certificado

ser-tee-fee-KAH-dohseɾ.ti.fiˈka.ðo

nounA1
Use this for a specific type of official record that certifies facts, like a birth or medical certificate.
A simple, high-quality storybook illustration of a rolled-up parchment certificate tied neatly with a bright red ribbon.

Examples

Necesito el certificado de nacimiento para mi pasaporte.

I need the birth certificate for my passport.

Recibimos un certificado de regalo por cien euros.

We received a gift certificate for one hundred euros.

El curso incluye un certificado de finalización.

The course includes a certificate of completion.

Gender Agreement

Since 'certificado' is a masculine noun, use masculine articles and adjectives with it (e.g., 'un certificado nuevo').

Using the wrong verb

Mistake: “Hacer un certificado (To make a certificate)”

Correction: Obtener/Recibir un certificado (To get/receive a certificate) or Emitir un certificado (To issue a certificate).

nota

NOH-tahˈno.ta

nounA1informal
Use this for a brief written account or message, like a note left for someone.
A single yellow square sticky note attached to a wooden surface, with a pencil resting beside it, representing a short memo.

Examples

Dejé una nota a mi compañero de piso antes de salir.

I left a note for my roommate before leaving.

El director tomó nota de todos nuestros comentarios.

The director made a note of all our comments.

'Tomar nota'

The fixed phrase 'tomar nota' means 'to write something down' or 'to pay attention to something so you remember it later.' Do not use 'hacer' (to make) a note.

Using 'hacer' with notes

Mistake: “Hice una nota.”

Correction: Escribí una nota (I wrote a note) or Tomé una nota (I took a note).

tome

TOH-mehˈto.me

verbB1
This is a less common translation, used in specific contexts to mean 'to take' a photograph or measurement, similar to 'hacer' or 'tomar' (verb).
A simplistic illustration of a hand carefully placing a small, geometric blue shield onto a clean surface, symbolizing the formal adoption of a new measure or attitude.

Examples

Pidió al equipo que tome una actitud más seria.

He asked the team to adopt a more serious attitude.

Sugiero que se tome una foto grupal antes de irnos.

I suggest that a group photo be taken before we leave.

Espero que mi jefe tome en cuenta mis sugerencias.

I hope my boss takes my suggestions into account.

Impersonal Wishes

When a non-personal subject is required (like 'it is necessary that'), 'tome' is often used impersonally: 'Es necesario que se tome la temperatura' (It is necessary that the temperature be taken).

Action vs. Result

Learners often confuse 'grabar' (to record, the action) with 'grabación' (the recording, the result). Remember that 'grabar' is the verb for the process, while 'grabación' is the noun for the captured audio or video.

Related Translations

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