Inklingo

How to Say "record" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “record” is “registro” — use this for a written or digital file that documents events or information, like a logbook or system entry..

registro🔊A2

Use this for a written or digital file that documents events or information, like a logbook or system entry.

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grabaciónA1

Choose this when referring to a specific piece of recorded sound or video, like a song or a video clip.

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documento🔊A1

This is a general term for a historical or digital file that needs to be signed or formally presented.

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historial🔊B1

Use this for a history of someone's medical, credit, or online activity.

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grabar🔊A2

This verb means to capture audio, video, or data, similar to the English verb 'to record'.

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disco🔊A1

This refers specifically to a vinyl record or other physical music format.

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certificado🔊A1

Use this for an official document that serves as proof, such as a birth certificate or medical record.

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antecedentes🔊B1

This term refers to past performance, data, or background information relevant to a situation.

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récordB1

Use this word for the best achievement or performance, like a world record in sports.

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marca🔊B1

This refers to a specific best score or fastest time achieved, often in competitions.

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álbumA1

This refers to a collection of music (an album) or a book for holding photos.

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asiento🔊B2

Use this for an official registration or entry in an accounting ledger.

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plato🔊B2

This term, especially in Latin America, refers to a vinyl disc.

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tome🔊B1

This verb means to take a photograph or a measurement.

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nota🔊A1

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

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English → Spanish

registro

reh-HEES-troh/reˈxistɾo/

nounA2general
Use this for a written or digital file that documents events or information, like a logbook or system entry.
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'.

grabación

nounA1general
Choose this when referring to a specific piece of recorded sound or video, like a song or a video clip.

Examples

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

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

documento

/do-ku-MEN-to//do.kuˈmen.to/

nounA1general
This is a general term for a historical or digital file that needs to be signed or formally presented.
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-AHL/is.toˈɾjal/

nounB1general
Use this for a history of someone's medical, credit, or online activity.
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.

grabar

/grah-BAHR//ɡraˈβaɾ/

verbA2general
This verb means to capture audio, video, or data, similar to the English verb 'to record'.
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).

disco

/DEES-koh//ˈdisko/

nounA1general
This refers specifically to a vinyl record or other physical music format.
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'.

certificado

ser-tee-fee-KAH-doh/seɾ.ti.fiˈka.ðo/

nounA1formal
Use this for an official document that serves as proof, such as a birth certificate or medical record.
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).

antecedentes

/an-teh-seh-DEN-tes//an.te.θeˈðen.tes/ (Spain) /an.te.seˈðen.tes/ (LatAm)

nounB1formal
This term refers to past performance, data, or background information relevant to a situation.
A small green sapling growing from layered soil, illustrating the concept of background or accumulated history.

Examples

Para tomar una decisión, necesitamos conocer todos los antecedentes del caso.

To make a decision, we need to know all the background information of the case.

Sus antecedentes académicos son excelentes.

His academic background is excellent.

Los científicos investigaron los antecedentes de la enfermedad.

The scientists investigated the history (or origins) of the disease.

Always Plural!

Even when referring to a single 'background' or 'precedent' in English, 'antecedentes' is always used in the plural form in Spanish. You must use plural adjectives and articles with it (e.g., 'los antecedentes').

Using the Singular Form

Mistake: “El antecedente es complicado.”

Correction: Los antecedentes son complicados. (The background is complicated.) Remember to keep it plural.

récord

nounB1general
Use this word for the best achievement or performance, like a world record in sports.

Examples

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

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

marca

MAR-cah/ˈmaɾka/

nounB1sports
This refers to a specific best score or fastest time achieved, often in competitions.
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).

álbum

nounA1general
This refers to a collection of music (an album) or a book for holding photos.

Examples

Mi abuela guarda todas las fotos antiguas en un álbum.

My grandmother keeps all the old photos in an album.

asiento

ah-SYEN-toh/aˈsjento/

nounB2accounting
Use this for an official registration or entry in an accounting ledger.
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-toh//ˈplato/

nounB2colloquial
This term, especially in Latin America, refers to a vinyl 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.

tome

TOH-meh/ˈto.me/

verbB1general
This verb means to take a photograph or a measurement.
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).

nota

NOH-tah/ˈno.ta/

nounA1general
Use this for a brief written account or message, like a sticky note.
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).

Registro vs. Documento

Learners often confuse 'registro' and 'documento'. 'Registro' implies an ongoing log or system entry, while 'documento' is a specific, often formal, file. Think of a system's call log ('registro') versus a contract you sign ('documento').

Related Translations

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