Inklingo

How to Say "records" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “records” is “registros” — use 'registros' for general data entries, logs, or official information, especially when referring to data that has been formally collected or written down..

registros🔊B1

Use 'registros' for general data entries, logs, or official information, especially when referring to data that has been formally collected or written down.

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archivos🔊A1

Choose 'archivos' when referring to official documents, files, or papers that are typically stored or organized, like in a filing cabinet or a computer folder.

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reportes🔊A2

Use 'reportes' for official logs, summaries, or documented accounts of events or findings, often created for business or official purposes.

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apunta🔊B1

Use the verb 'apuntar' (conjugated as 'apunta' for él/ella/usted) when someone is actively noting down or jotting information, like writing ideas in a notebook.

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discos🔊A1

Use 'discos' specifically when talking about physical music media, such as vinyl records or LPs.

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expedientes🔊B1

Use 'expedientes' for collections of official documents related to a specific case, person, or matter, often in a formal or legal context.

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asientos🔊B2

Use 'asientos' for specific administrative or accounting notations or entries made in ledgers or official books.

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autos🔊C1

Use 'autos' to refer to the official, written documentation and proceedings of a legal case.

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English → Spanish

registros

reh-HEES-tros/reˈxistros/

noun (plural)B1general
Use 'registros' for general data entries, logs, or official information, especially when referring to data that has been formally collected or written down.
A stack of three thick, closed official ledger books tied with red string resting on a wooden shelf, representing official records.

Examples

Los registros médicos confirman que estuvo enfermo la semana pasada.

The medical records confirm that he was sick last week.

Perdimos todos los registros de la transacción cuando se cayó el sistema.

We lost all the records of the transaction when the system went down.

Hay que actualizar los registros de asistencia de los estudiantes.

We have to update the student attendance records.

Masculine Plural Noun

Since 'registro' is a masculine noun, its plural form 'registros' is also masculine and always requires masculine plural articles ('los', 'unos') and adjectives.

Gender Confusion

Mistake: “La registros”

Correction: Use 'Los registros'. Remember, even though 'information' (información) is feminine, 'registro' is masculine.

archivos

ar-CHEE-bos/aɾˈtʃiβos/

noun (plural)A1general
Choose 'archivos' when referring to official documents, files, or papers that are typically stored or organized, like in a filing cabinet or a computer folder.
A simple, stylized open folder icon rendered in bright colors. Inside the folder are three smaller icons: a sheet of paper, a musical note, and a small picture frame, symbolizing various types of digital files.

Examples

Por favor, guarda todos los archivos en esta carpeta.

Please save all the files in this folder.

Los archivos históricos de la ciudad se quemaron en el incendio.

The city's historical archives burned in the fire.

Necesitamos liberar espacio; hay demasiados archivos temporales.

We need to free up space; there are too many temporary files.

Masculine Plural

Since the base word archivo is masculine, the plural archivos uses masculine articles and adjectives: los archivos nuevos (the new files).

Using the Wrong Gender

Mistake: “La archivos”

Correction: Los archivos. Remember to use the masculine 'los' because 'archivo' is a masculine word.

reportes

/reh-POR-tehs//reˈpoɾtes/

noun (plural)A2formal
Use 'reportes' for official logs, summaries, or documented accounts of events or findings, often created for business or official purposes.
A stack of colorful folders and papers with charts and lines on a desk.

Examples

Tengo que terminar los reportes de ventas antes del viernes.

I have to finish the sales reports before Friday.

Los reportes indican que el clima va a mejorar.

The reports indicate that the weather is going to improve.

Making it Plural

This is the plural version of 'reporte.' To talk about more than one, you just add an '-s' to the end.

Reporte vs. Informe

Mistake: “Using 'reporte' for very formal academic papers.”

Correction: Use 'informe' for deep academic or technical research; use 'reporte' for work status updates or school assignments.

apunta

ah-POON-tah/aˈpunta/

verbB1informal
Use the verb 'apuntar' (conjugated as 'apunta' for él/ella/usted) when someone is actively noting down or jotting information, like writing ideas in a notebook.
A person sitting at a desk, carefully writing notes in a small notebook with a pen.

Examples

Ella siempre apunta las ideas importantes en su cuaderno.

She always notes down the important ideas in her notebook.

¡Apunta mi número de teléfono antes de que se me olvide!

Write down my phone number before I forget it!

El profesor apunta los errores comunes en la pizarra.

The professor notes (down) the common mistakes on the board.

Dual Role of 'Apunta'

Remember that 'apunta' can mean 'he/she/it notes down' (telling a fact) OR 'Note down!' (giving an informal command to 'tú'). Context tells you which one it is.

discos

DEES-kohs/ˈdis.kos/

noun (plural)A1general
Use 'discos' specifically when talking about physical music media, such as vinyl records or LPs.
A stack of three colorful vinyl records resting on a simple background.

Examples

Mi padre tiene una colección enorme de discos de rock.

My father has a huge collection of rock records.

Puso unos discos geniales para la fiesta.

He put on some great albums for the party.

Plural Form

This is the simple plural form of the masculine noun 'disco'. Like most Spanish nouns ending in a vowel, you just add '-s'.

expedientes

/eks-peh-DYEN-tess//ekspeˈðjentes/

noun (plural)B1formal
Use 'expedientes' for collections of official documents related to a specific case, person, or matter, often in a formal or legal context.
A stack of colorful manila folders overflowing with organized papers on a desk.

Examples

Tengo que organizar todos los expedientes de los clientes.

I have to organize all the client files.

El abogado revisó los expedientes antes del juicio.

The lawyer reviewed the case files before the trial.

La policía abrió varios expedientes para investigar el caso.

The police opened several files to investigate the case.

Plural and Gender

This is the plural form of 'expediente.' It is a masculine noun, so you always use 'los' or 'unos' with it (e.g., los expedientes).

False Friend Alert

Mistake: “Using 'expedientes' to mean 'expeditions' (trips).”

Correction: Use 'expediciones' for trips or voyages. 'Expedientes' refers specifically to paperwork or records.

asientos

/a-SYEN-tos//aˈsjen.tos/

noun (plural)B2formal
Use 'asientos' for specific administrative or accounting notations or entries made in ledgers or official books.
A simple storybook illustration of an open, large accounting ledger book. The pages are divided into columns filled with abstract squiggles and lines, symbolizing recorded entries.

Examples

El auditor revisó todos los asientos contables del trimestre.

The auditor reviewed all the accounting entries for the quarter.

Hay que hacer los asientos de ajuste antes del cierre fiscal.

We must make the adjusting entries before the fiscal closing.

Figurative Meaning

This meaning comes from the idea of 'setting down' or 'settling' information permanently in a book or record, just like you 'settle' into a chair.

autos

AH-tohs/ˈau̯.tos/

noun (plural)C1legal
Use 'autos' to refer to the official, written documentation and proceedings of a legal case.
A tall stack of thick, bound legal documents resting on a dark wooden bench, symbolizing judicial proceedings.

Examples

El abogado solicitó una copia certificada de todos los autos para la apelación.

The lawyer requested a certified copy of all the proceedings for the appeal.

El secretario judicial archivó los autos después de la sentencia.

The court clerk filed the case files after the ruling.

Context is Key

This meaning is almost always used in official, legal, or bureaucratic settings. If you hear 'autos' outside of a courtroom, it almost certainly means 'cars'.

General Documents vs. Specific Records

The most common mistake is using 'archivos' (files) for all types of records. Remember that 'registros' is better for data or logged information, while 'archivos' refers more to physical or digital document collections. Be precise about the nature of the 'records' you are describing.

Related Translations

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