Inklingo

How to Say "score" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “score” is “gol” — use 'gol' specifically for a point scored in sports like soccer, hockey, or basketball, referring to the successful act of scoring..

gol🔊A1

Use 'gol' specifically for a point scored in sports like soccer, hockey, or basketball, referring to the successful act of scoring.

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nota🔊A1

Use 'nota' when referring to a grade or numerical score received on an academic test or assignment.

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marcar🔊A2

Use 'marcar' as the verb meaning 'to score' a goal or a point in a game.

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resultado🔊A2

Use 'resultado' (often plural 'resultados') to refer to the final outcome or score of a game, match, or competition.

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marca🔊B1

Use 'marca' to refer to a record or a distinguished achievement in sports, like a 'national record' or 'personal best'.

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tantos🔊B2

Use 'tantos' when referring to the current tally or points being accumulated in a game, often used in phrases like 'X tantos a Y'.

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English → Spanish

gol

/gohl//ɡol/

nounA1general
Use 'gol' specifically for a point scored in sports like soccer, hockey, or basketball, referring to the successful act of scoring.
A black and white soccer ball hitting the back of a white goal net on a green grass field.

Examples

¡Qué gran gol de Messi!

What a great goal by Messi!

El partido terminó con un gol a cero.

The game ended one to zero (one-nil).

Necesitamos marcar un gol para ganar.

We need to score a goal to win.

Word Gender

This is a masculine word, so you should use 'el' (the) or 'un' (a). For example: 'el gol'.

Using the wrong action word

Mistake: “hacer un gol”

Correction: meter un gol or marcar un gol

nota

NOH-tah/ˈno.ta/

nounA1academic
Use 'nota' when referring to a grade or numerical score received on an academic test or assignment.
A bright gold star sticker placed prominently on a sheet of school paper, symbolizing a high academic grade.

Examples

Mi hermana sacó la nota más alta de la clase.

My sister got the highest grade in the class.

¿Qué nota necesitas para aprobar el curso?

What mark do you need to pass the course?

Use of 'Sacar'

To talk about receiving a grade, Spanish often uses the verb 'sacar' (to take out), which translates functionally to 'to get' or 'to earn' a score.

marcar

mar-KAR/maɾˈkaɾ/

verbA2general
Use 'marcar' as the verb meaning 'to score' a goal or a point in a game.
A soccer ball flies into the back of a soccer net, indicating a goal has been scored.

Examples

El delantero marcó el gol de la victoria en el último minuto.

The striker scored the winning goal in the last minute.

Si marcas más puntos que yo, ganas el partido.

If you score more points than me, you win the game.

resultado

/reh-soo-TAH-doh//resuɫˈt̪aðo/

nounA2general
Use 'resultado' (often plural 'resultados') to refer to the final outcome or score of a game, match, or competition.
A small, brown terracotta pot sitting on a light surface. A single, very large, vibrant red flower with green leaves has successfully bloomed from the pot, symbolizing a positive outcome.

Examples

¿Cuál fue el resultado del partido anoche?

What was the score of the game last night?

Necesitamos un resultado más positivo para la reunión.

We need a more positive outcome for the meeting.

Los científicos publicaron los resultados de su experimento.

The scientists published the results of their experiment.

Masculine Gender

Since 'resultado' ends in '-o', it is a masculine noun. Always use 'el' or 'un' before it, like 'El resultado es claro' (The result is clear).

Using 'la' instead of 'el'

Mistake: “La resultado fue sorprendente.”

Correction: El resultado fue sorprendente. (Remember the pattern: most nouns ending in -o are masculine.)

marca

MAR-cah/ˈmaɾka/

nounB1sports
Use 'marca' to refer to a record or a distinguished achievement in sports, like a 'national record' or 'personal best'.
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).

tantos

TAHN-tohs/ˈtan.tos/

nounB2general
Use 'tantos' when referring to the current tally or points being accumulated in a game, often used in phrases like 'X tantos a Y'.
A simple cartoon scoreboard showing two sides competing. One side is marked with five large colorful stars, and the opposing side is marked with three large colorful stars, visually representing the score.

Examples

El equipo local lleva tres tantos a cero.

The home team is leading three points to zero.

Faltan cinco minutos y necesitamos más tantos para empatar.

There are five minutes left and we need more points to tie.

Specific Context

When used as a noun, 'tantos' usually means 'points' or 'goals' in a game. It is always masculine and plural in this sense.

Overusing the Noun Form

Mistake: “Tengo muchos tantos para hacer hoy. (Meaning: I have many tasks to do today.)”

Correction: Tengo muchas cosas que hacer hoy. (Use 'tantos' only for scores, not general 'things' or 'tasks'.)

Gol vs. Marcar

Learners often confuse 'gol' (the noun for a point/goal) with 'marcar' (the verb meaning 'to score'). Remember: you 'marcar' a 'gol'. 'Gol' is the thing achieved, 'marcar' is the action of achieving it.

Related Translations

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