Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
How to Say Period in Spanish: Período, Punto & Regla
Período · noun (masculine) · peh-REE-oh-doh
Period in Spanish has multiple translations depending on meaning. Período (or periodo, without accent) refers to a span of time. Punto is the punctuation mark (.). Regla is the colloquial term for the menstrual period, while menstruación is the medical term. Context determines which word applies.
peh-REE-oh-doh (período) — four syllables, stress on the second. POON-toh (punto) — stress on the first. RREH-glah (regla) — stress on the first.
El período de inscripción termina el viernes.
The registration period ends on Friday.
Period in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for period, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| período | period | peh-REE-oh-doh | Default, widely understood |
| punto | period | punctuation mark: period/full stop | |
| regla | period | menstrual period | |
| menstruación | period | medical: menstruation |
How Native Speakers Use Período
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Time span
El período de prueba dura tres meses.
The trial period lasts three months.
Período (time) is used in academic, legal, and everyday contexts.
Punctuation
No olvides poner el punto al final de la oración.
Don't forget to put the period at the end of the sentence.
Punto is the period (full stop) in punctuation. Punto y aparte means new paragraph.
Menstrual cycle reference
La regla suele durar entre tres y siete días.
A period usually lasts between three and seven days.
Regla is the most common everyday term; menstruación is used in medical settings.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Período
Using período for the punctuation mark
Incorrect: Pon un período al final.
Correct: Pon un punto al final.
The punctuation mark (.) is punto in Spanish, not período. Período only means a span of time.
Confusing periodo and período spelling
Incorrect: Neither is wrong.
Correct: Both periodo and período are accepted by the RAE.
The RAE accepts both spellings: periodo (flat, three syllables) and período (with accent, four syllables). Both are correct, though usage varies by country.
Lock in Period 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 Período used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using período in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear El período de inscripción termina el viernes. 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 Period in Spanish
- How do you say period in Spanish?
- It depends on the meaning: período (time span), punto (punctuation mark), or regla/menstruación (menstrual period). Each meaning uses a different word.
- What is the difference between punto and período?
- Punto is the dot (.) used in punctuation or to say period/end of discussion. Período means a length of time (a period of history, a class period, etc.).
- How do you say menstrual period in Spanish?
- The everyday term is la regla. The medical/formal term is la menstruación. Both are understood across all Spanish-speaking countries.