Inklingo

How to Say "year" in Spanish

English → Spanish

año

NounA1General
Use 'año' when referring to the 365-day calendar period or a general passage of time.

Examples

El año nuevo es mi celebración favorita.

New Year is my favorite celebration.

año

NounA2Academic
Use 'año' when referring to a specific academic year or grade level in an educational context.

Examples

Ya terminé mi tercer año de secundaria.

I have already finished my third year of high school.

grado

GRAH-doh/ˈɡɾa.ðo/

NounA2Academic
Use 'grado' specifically for a grade or year level within the school system, often referring to the specific year of study.
A small, cheerful child stepping onto the second step of a small, brightly colored staircase.

Examples

Mi hermano menor está en quinto grado.

My younger brother is in fifth grade.

Mi hija pasa a cuarto grado el próximo año escolar.

My daughter is moving to fourth grade next school year.

El segundo grado de primaria es fácil.

The second year of primary school is easy.

School vs. Score

Remember that 'grado' refers to the level of school (e.g., 5th year), while 'nota' or 'calificación' refers to the score you receive on a test (e.g., an A or a 90%).

Año vs. Grado for School Years

Learners often confuse 'año' and 'grado' when talking about school. While 'año' can refer to an academic year generally, 'grado' is the more precise term for a specific grade level or year of study, similar to 'grade' in English.

Related Translations

Learn Spanish with Inklingo

Interactive stories, personalized learning, and more.