Inklingo

How to Say "registration" in Spanish

English → Spanish

matrícula

nounA2general
Use this word for the official act of signing up for a course, program, or academic semester.

Examples

La matrícula para el nuevo semestre se cierra la próxima semana.

Enrollment for the new semester closes next week.

registro

reh-HEES-troh/reˈxistɾo/

nounB1general
Use this for the act of signing up or entering your details for an event, conference, or general service.
A smiling person holding a pen ready to sign a paper form.

Examples

El registro para la conferencia comienza a las nueve.

Registration for the conference starts at nine.

Necesitas completar el formulario de registro antes del viernes.

You need to complete the registration form before Friday.

The Verb Form

The action of registering uses the verb 'registrar' (to register), which is related to this noun.

alta

/al-tah//ˈal.ta/

nounB1medical
Primarily used in a medical context for being discharged from a hospital or officially signed off by a doctor.
A smiling person carrying a small bag, walking away from the front doors of a large, welcoming building, symbolizing being discharged.

Examples

El doctor finalmente me dio el alta.

The doctor finally gave me my discharge.

Para cancelar, primero tienes que tramitar el alta en el sistema.

To cancel, you first have to process the registration in the system.

Mi compañera está de alta por maternidad.

My colleague is on maternity leave.

Why 'el alta'?

Even though 'alta' is a feminine word, we say 'el alta' instead of 'la alta'. This is a special rule in Spanish to make it sound better and avoid two 'a' sounds together ('la alta'). It's the same reason we say 'el agua' (water).

Using 'la' instead of 'el'

Mistake: “Estoy esperando la alta del médico.”

Correction: Estoy esperando el alta del médico. Remember the special sound rule: use 'el' right before 'alta' when it's a noun.

asiento

ah-SYEN-toh/aˈsjento/

nounB2accounting/formal
Use this in accounting for an entry or record of a transaction, or for the official recording of a birth or event.
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.

Matrícula vs. Registro

Learners often confuse 'matrícula' and 'registro'. Remember that 'matrícula' is specifically for academic enrollment, while 'registro' is a more general term for signing up for events or services.

Related Translations

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