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How to Say "to note" in Spanish

English → Spanish

anotar

ah-noh-TAHRanoˈtaɾ

verbA1general
Use 'anotar' when you need to make a brief written record of something, like a phone number or a quick reminder.
A hand holding a pencil and writing a simple note on a small piece of yellow paper.

Examples

Tengo que anotar tu número de teléfono.

I need to write down your phone number.

Ella anotó la dirección en un papel.

She wrote down the address on a piece of paper.

Si no lo anotas ahora, se te va a olvidar pronto.

If you don't write it down now, you'll forget it soon.

A Regular Friend

Anotar is a completely regular 'ar' verb, meaning it follows the standard pattern for all its forms. If you know how to conjugate 'hablar', you know how to conjugate 'anotar'.

Anotar vs. Notar

Mistake: “Usar 'anotar' para decir 'I noticed something'.”

Correction: Use 'notar' for noticing. Use 'anotar' only when you are physically writing something down.

notar

no-TARnoˈtaɾ

verbB2general
Use 'notar' when the act of writing or marking down something specific, such as names or details, is emphasized.
A hand holding a pencil and writing a small mark on a piece of paper.

Examples

El secretario notó los nombres de los asistentes.

The secretary noted the names of the attendees.

añadir

verbB1general
Use 'añadir' when you are adding a piece of information or stating something additional in a conversation or text.

Examples

El presidente añadió que la reunión fue muy productiva.

The president added that the meeting was very productive.

constatar

kohn-stah-TAHRkonstaˈtaɾ

verbB2formal
Use 'constatar' when you have observed something and are confirming or verifying a fact that is evident.
A scientist in a white coat looking through a magnifying glass at a small green plant to confirm its details.

Examples

Pudimos constatar que el motor no funcionaba.

We were able to verify that the motor wasn't working.

El informe permite constatar la mejoría de la economía.

The report allows us to note the improvement in the economy.

Los médicos pudieron constatar la recuperación del paciente.

The doctors were able to confirm the patient's recovery.

Using 'que' after constatar

This verb is almost always followed by the word 'que' (meaning 'that') when you are describing a fact you observed, like 'Constatamos que el precio subió' (We noted that the price went up).

Passive Construction

In news reports, you will often see 'se pudo constatar' (it could be verified). This is a common way to state a fact without saying exactly who verified it.

Confusing with English 'constate'

Mistake: “Using 'constatar' only in legal contexts.”

Correction: In Spanish, 'constatar' is used daily in business and news to mean 'confirming' or 'noticing' facts, even if 'constate' is rare in English.

Mixing up with manifestar

Mistake: “Saying 'constatar' when you simply mean 'to state' or 'to say'.”

Correction: Use 'constatar' only when there is evidence or an observation involved. Use 'decir' or 'manifestar' if you are just speaking.

Anote vs. Note

Learners often confuse 'anotar' (to write down) with 'notar' (to write down or mark). While 'anotar' is more general for making a note, 'notar' specifically implies the act of recording names or details as observed. Remember 'anotar' is for general note-taking, while 'notar' is about the act of recording specific items.

Related Translations

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