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How to Say "scores" in Spanish

English → Spanish

docena

doh-SEH-nah/doˈse.na/

nounA1informal
Use 'docena' when 'scores' is used informally to mean 'a lot of' or 'many', often referring to a quantity around twelve.
A high quality simple colorful storybook illustration showing twelve identical bright yellow lemons arranged neatly in a group on a white background.

Examples

Necesito una docena de huevos para hacer el pastel.

I need a dozen eggs to make the cake.

Solo queremos media docena de panecillos, por favor.

We only want half a dozen rolls, please.

Vimos docenas de pájaros volando hacia el sur.

We saw dozens of birds flying south.

Feminine Noun Rule

Even though it refers to the number twelve (doce), 'docena' is a feminine noun, so you must use feminine articles and adjectives with it (e.g., 'una docena,' 'la docena').

Using 'doce' instead of 'docena'

Mistake: “Compré doce de huevos. (I bought twelve of eggs.)”

Correction: Compré una docena de huevos. ('Docena' is the collective noun for a group of twelve, like how we use 'dozen' in English.)

marcas

MAHR-kahs/ˈmaɾkas/

nounA1general
Use 'marcas' when 'scores' refers to results in sports or competitions, or in the context of brands.
A row of three brightly colored commercial products: a soda bottle, a cereal box, and a shoe, each featuring a distinct, simple, stylized symbol representing a brand logo.

Examples

El equipo local obtuvo buenas marcas en la última competición.

The local team got good scores in the last competition.

Hay muchas marcas de coches en el mundo.

There are many car brands in the world.

Las marcas de zapatos se borraron de la arena.

The shoe marks were erased from the sand.

El equipo rompió todas las marcas en la natación.

The team broke all the records (marks) in swimming.

Gender and Number

As the plural form of the feminine noun 'marca,' you must use feminine articles and adjectives with it (e.g., 'las buenas marcas').

Confusing Noun and Verb

Mistake: “Using 'marcas' (noun) when the verb 'tú marcas' is needed in a sentence.”

Correction: Remember the noun usually needs an article (las marcas), while the verb does not (tú marcas).

mete

MEH-teh/ˈme.te/

verbB1sports
Use 'mete' (from 'meter') when 'scores' refers to the action of scoring a goal in a sport.
A white and black soccer ball is shown right after it has entered the back of a soccer net, indicating a goal was scored.

Examples

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

The striker scores the winning goal in the last minute.

Si no mete esa canasta, pierden el partido.

If he doesn't score that basket, they lose the game.

Sports Specific

This meaning is an extension of the core idea (putting the ball into the net). It is used interchangeably with verbs like 'anotar' or 'marcar' when talking about scoring points or goals.

Docena vs. Marcas

Learners often confuse 'docena' and 'marcas' because both can translate to 'many' or 'scores' in certain contexts. Remember 'docena' is specifically about quantity (around twelve) or informal 'lots of', while 'marcas' refers to results or brands.

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