Inklingo

How to Say "targets" in Spanish

English → Spanish

objetivos

ohb-heh-TEE-vohs/oβxeˈtiβos/

nounA2general
Use 'objetivos' when referring to specific aims, goals, or things you intend to hit or reach, often in a personal or professional development context.
A storybook illustration showing an arrow hitting the center of a colorful bullseye target set up on a grassy field.

Examples

Mis objetivos para este año son viajar más y ahorrar dinero.

My goals for this year are to travel more and save money.

El equipo no cumplió con los objetivos de ventas del trimestre.

The team did not meet the sales targets for the quarter.

Establecer objetivos claros ayuda a mantenerse motivado.

Setting clear objectives helps you stay motivated.

Masculine Plural

Remember that 'objetivos' is masculine and plural. If you talk about just one goal, use 'objetivo' (singular).

Using the wrong gender

Mistake: “La objetivos”

Correction: Los objetivos. Because it is a masculine word, you must use the masculine articles ('los', 'unos', 'mis', etc.).

metas

MEH-tas/ˈme.tas/

noun (plural)A1general
Choose 'metas' for abstract goals or aspirations that you aim to achieve over a period of time, often used for long-term plans.
A colorful illustration showing three distinct, bright targets or bullseyes standing upright on a grassy hill, symbolizing objectives or aims.

Examples

Tenemos que establecer metas claras para el próximo trimestre.

We have to establish clear goals for the next quarter.

Alcanzar mis metas me hace muy feliz.

Achieving my goals makes me very happy.

Las corredoras cruzaron las metas casi al mismo tiempo.

The runners crossed the finish lines almost at the same time.

Singular Form

The singular form is 'meta' (a goal, a finish line). Since it ends in 'a', it is a feminine noun, so you use 'la meta' or 'una meta'.

Gender Confusion

Mistake: “Using 'el metas' or 'los metas'.”

Correction: Since 'meta' is feminine, always use the feminine article: 'las metas' (the goals) or 'unas metas' (some goals).

blancos

/blán-kos//ˈblaŋkos/

nounB1specific
Use 'blancos' specifically when referring to literal targets for shooting, archery, or other marksmanship activities.
Three circular archery targets with red, yellow, and blue rings, set up side-by-side in a grassy area, ready for shooting.

Examples

Los arqueros tienen que dar en el centro de los blancos.

The archers have to hit the center of the targets.

Solo complete los blancos marcados con un asterisco.

Only fill in the blank spaces marked with an asterisk.

Noun Use

When 'blancos' is used as a noun, it almost always refers to the physical target or the empty space on paper, not the color itself.

Goals vs. Literal Targets

Learners often confuse 'objetivos'/'metas' with 'blancos'. Remember that 'blancos' is almost exclusively used for physical targets in sports or activities like shooting. 'Objetivos' and 'metas' are for aspirations and aims, not physical objects to be hit.

Related Translations

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