Inklingo

How to Say "to score" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “to score” is “anotar” — use 'anotar' when referring to scoring points or a goal in sports like soccer, basketball, or in games.

English → Spanish

anotar

ah-noh-TAHRanoˈtaɾ

verbA2general
Use 'anotar' when referring to scoring points or a goal in sports like soccer, basketball, or in games.
A soccer ball flying into a white net on a green field.

Examples

¡El equipo local anotó dos puntos en el último cuarto!

The home team scored two points in the last quarter!

¡Messi anotó un gol increíble!

Messi scored an incredible goal!

Él anotó veinte puntos en el partido de ayer.

He scored twenty points in yesterday's game.

Es difícil anotar contra este equipo.

It is difficult to score against this team.

Winning the Game

When used in sports, 'anotar' is usually followed directly by what was scored (a goal, a point) without needing extra small words like 'en'.

meter

meh-TEHRmeˈteɾ

verbB2general
Use 'meter' specifically for the action of successfully putting a ball into a goal in sports, often emphasizing the successful act of scoring.
A bright soccer ball flying through the air and just entering the white netting of a soccer goal.

Examples

El delantero metió un golazo que le dio la victoria a su equipo.

The striker scored a great goal that gave his team the victory.

El delantero logró meter un gol en el último minuto.

The striker managed to score a goal in the last minute.

Vamos a meter todo nuestro esfuerzo en este proyecto.

We are going to put all our effort into this project.

Metieron varios millones de dólares en la nueva empresa.

They invested several million dollars in the new company.

Figurative Use

This meaning is an extension of the basic 'put inside' idea—you are putting the goal into the net, or putting money/effort into a venture.

Overusing 'Meter'

Mistake: “Hicimos un gol.”

Correction: Metimos un gol. ('Hacer un gol' is understandable, but 'meter un gol' is the most natural and common way to express scoring in football/soccer in many Spanish-speaking countries.)

marca

MAR-cahˈmaɾka

verbA2general
Use 'marca' (as a verb, e.g., 'marcar') when indicating a score in a game or competition, or more generally for marking or noting something down.
A close-up of a hand holding a sharp tool, carving a visible, simple line into the side of a wooden fence post.

Examples

El árbitro marcó un penal en el minuto 80.

The referee scored/called a penalty in the 80th minute.

Ella marca los errores en el papel.

She marks the errors on the paper. (This uses the form 'marca')

Tienes que marcar el número antes de hablar.

You have to dial the number before speaking.

El delantero marcó un gol en el último minuto.

The striker scored a goal in the last minute.

The 'Car' Change Rule

Verbs ending in -car (like marcar) must change the 'c' to 'qu' when followed by an 'e'. This happens in the 'yo' form of the past tense (marqué) and in the special verb forms (subjunctive and commands) to keep the hard 'k' sound.

Preterite Error

Mistake: “Yo marcí (instead of marqué)”

Correction: The correct past tense 'I marked' is 'Yo marqué'. If you used 'marcí', it would change the sound, which is incorrect.

calificar

kah-lee-fee-kahrkalifiˈkaɾ

verbA2academic/formal
Use 'calificar' when the meaning of 'to score' is related to assigning a grade or numerical evaluation to something, like an exam or performance.
A hand using a red pen to mark a checkmark and a large letter grade on a paper.

Examples

La profesora necesita calificar los ensayos de los estudiantes antes del viernes.

The teacher needs to grade the students' essays before Friday.

El profesor todavía tiene que calificar nuestros exámenes de historia.

The teacher still has to grade our history exams.

Me calificaron con un ocho en el proyecto final.

They gave me a score of eight on the final project.

Es difícil calificar el desempeño de un artista.

It is difficult to score an artist's performance.

The 'C' to 'QU' Swap

When 'c' is followed by 'e' in Spanish, it sounds like an 's' or 'th'. To keep the hard 'k' sound in the past tense (Preterite) 'I' form, we change 'c' to 'qu': 'califiqué' instead of 'calificé'.

Spelling the Past Tense

Mistake: “Yo calificé la tarea.”

Correction: Yo califiqué la tarea. Always use 'qu' before 'e' to keep that hard 'k' sound from the original word.

Sports vs. Grading

The most common confusion is using 'anotar' or 'meter' for grading, or using 'calificar' for scoring in sports. Remember that 'anotar' and 'meter' are for points in games, while 'calificar' is strictly for evaluation and grading.

Related Translations

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