Inklingo

How to Say "score" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word forscoreis goluse this word specifically for the act of scoring a point in sports like soccer or hockey, often referring to the ball entering the goal.

gol🔊A1

Use this word specifically for the act of scoring a point in sports like soccer or hockey, often referring to the ball entering the goal.

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nota🔊A1

Use this for a numerical grade or mark received on an academic test or assignment.

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marcador🔊A2

This refers to the actual points displayed in a game, like on a scoreboard, or the total tally of points.

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puntuaciónA2

Use this for the total points earned in a game, quiz, or competition, often a numerical value.

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resultado🔊A2

This refers to the final outcome or result of a game, match, or test, often used in the plural.

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calificaciónA2

This is a broader term for a grade or assessment, often used for academic evaluations beyond just a number.

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marcar🔊A2

Use this verb to describe the action of scoring a goal or point in a game.

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anotaciónB1

This term is used for a specific point or score made in a game, often implying a successful play or entry.

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marca🔊B1

This refers to a record or a specific tally, often used when a record is broken or a specific benchmark is reached.

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tantos🔊B2

Use this word when referring to the aggregate number of points or goals, especially when stating the score of a match.

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English → Spanish

gol

gohlɡol

nounA1general
Use this word specifically for the act of scoring a point in sports like soccer or hockey, often referring to the ball entering the goal.
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-tahˈno.ta

nounA1academic
Use this for a numerical grade or mark 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.

marcador

mahr-kah-DOHRmaɾkaˈðoɾ

nounA2sports
This refers to the actual points displayed in a game, like on a scoreboard, or the total tally of points.
A large electronic scoreboard in a stadium showing different colored lights.

Examples

Mira el marcador, ¡vamos ganando!

Look at the scoreboard, we are winning!

El marcador final fue de dos a cero.

The final score was two to zero.

El estadio tiene un marcador electrónico gigante.

The stadium has a giant electronic scoreboard.

Two meanings, one word

Spanish uses 'marcador' for both the actual board you look at and the points themselves. English sometimes uses 'score' vs. 'scoreboard'.

Score vs. Scorer

Mistake:Él es el marcador del equipo.

Correction: Él es el goleador (for soccer) or el que anotó. 'Marcador' is the board or the tally, not usually the person who scores.

puntuación

nounA2general
Use this for the total points earned in a game, quiz, or competition, often a numerical value.

Examples

Mi puntuación en el videojuego fue la más alta de hoy.

My score in the video game was the highest today.

resultado

reh-soo-TAH-dohresuɫˈt̪aðo

nounA2general
This refers to the final outcome or result of a game, match, or test, often used in the plural.
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.)

calificación

nounA2academic
This is a broader term for a grade or assessment, often used for academic evaluations beyond just a number.

Examples

Recibí una buena calificación en mi examen de matemáticas.

I got a good grade on my math exam.

marcar

mar-KARmaɾˈkaɾ

verbA2sports
Use this verb to describe the action of scoring a goal or 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.

anotación

nounB1sports
This term is used for a specific point or score made in a game, often implying a successful play or entry.

Examples

Esa última anotación nos dio la victoria.

That last score gave us the victory.

marca

MAR-cahˈmaɾka

nounB1general
This refers to a record or a specific tally, often used when a record is broken or a specific benchmark is reached.
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-tohsˈtan.tos

nounB2sports
Use this word when referring to the aggregate number of points or goals, especially when stating the score of a match.
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'.)

Score vs. Grade

The most common confusion for learners is between 'nota'/'calificación' (grades) and 'puntuación'/'marcador' (game points). Remember that 'nota' and 'calificación' are almost exclusively for academic results, while the others refer to points in games or competitions.

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