Spanish vocabulary · Intermediate
Grade in Spanish: Grado, Calificación, and Nota Explained
Grado · noun (masculine) · GRAH-doh
Grade in Spanish has several translations. Grado refers to a degree or level (temperature, academic degree, or school grade level). Calificación and nota both mean a score or mark on schoolwork, with nota being more common in everyday speech.
GRAH-doh — two syllables. The 'r' is a single tap (not trilled), and the stress falls on the first syllable.
Saqué buenas notas en todas las materias.
I got good grades in all subjects.
Grade in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for grade, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| grado | grade | GRAH-doh | Default, widely understood |
| calificación | grade | grade / mark (academic score) | |
| nota | grade | grade / mark (academic, widely used) | |
| curso | grade | grade level / school year (some countries) |
How Native Speakers Use Grado
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
School report card
Mi calificación en matemáticas fue de nueve sobre diez.
My grade in math was nine out of ten.
Calificación is the formal term for academic scores on exams and report cards.
Grade level in school
Mi hijo está en tercer grado de primaria.
My son is in third grade in elementary school.
Grado is used for the year or level a student is in at school.
Temperature
Hoy la temperatura alcanzó treinta y cinco grados.
Today the temperature reached thirty-five degrees.
Grado also means degree when talking about temperature or angles.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Grado
Using grado for an exam score
Incorrect: Saqué un buen grado en el examen.
Correct: Saqué una buena nota en el examen.
Grado means degree or level, not a score on an exam. For test results, use nota or calificación.
Confusing nota with 'note'
Incorrect: Le dejé una nota en el escritorio. (meaning a grade)
Correct: Le dejé una calificación en el escritorio.
Nota can mean both a musical note and a written note, as well as a grade. Context is key — if there's ambiguity, calificación is unambiguous for academic scores.
Lock in Grade Vocabulary with the Parrot Method
Why word lists alone don't stick
Memorizing a translation feels productive, but most learners forget 70% of what they studied within 48 hours. Vocabulary needs spaced repetition AND real-world exposure to transfer to long-term memory.
See Grado used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using grado in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear Saqué buenas notas en todas las materias. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
Save, review, repeat, stay consistent
Tap any word to save it. Parrot's spaced-repetition system surfaces it right before you'd forget, no manual flashcard creation. The watch, parrot back, save, review cycle turns recognition into fluency at 2.7x the speed of traditional study.
Common Questions About Grade in Spanish
- What is the difference between grado, nota, and calificación?
- Grado means level, degree, or grade level (like 5th grade). Nota is the everyday word for a mark or score on homework and tests. Calificación is the more formal term for an academic grade, often seen on official transcripts.
- How do grading scales work in Spanish-speaking countries?
- Many Latin American countries use a 1-to-10 scale, with 6 or 7 as passing. Spain often uses 0-10 with descriptors: sobresaliente (outstanding), notable (very good), aprobado (pass), and suspenso (fail).
- How do I say 'to grade papers' in Spanish?
- The most common expression is 'calificar exámenes' or 'corregir exámenes.' A teacher who grades papers 'califica' or 'corrige' them.