malas notas
/malas notas/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'bad grades' is translated into Spanish as malas notas.
This phrase refers to low marks or poor scores received on school assignments or exams. A common way to express the act of receiving them is by using the verb phrase sacar malas notas, which means 'to get bad grades'.
How does it change in a sentence?
While malas notas is the plural form, you should use the singular form mala nota when referring to a single poor grade.
How do you pronounce it?
/malas notas/
Did you know?
- In some Spanish-speaking regions, particularly in parts of the Caribbean and South America, people might use the slang term un rojo (a red) to describe a bad grade, referring to the color of the ink teachers traditionally use to mark errors.
- In Spain, people usually say suspender when they fail a subject because of their grades, whereas in much of Latin America, the verb reprobar is the standard way to express that same failure.
- Because nota can mean a musical note, a student with malas notas could be jokingly described as having a bad singing voice in certain contexts.
Examples in context
- Obtuve una calificación baja en matemáticasI received a low grade in math.
- Las malas notas se deben a que tuve dificultades con la comprensión del temaThe bad grades were due to difficulties in understanding the subject.
- Tuve malas notas en el examen de historia.I had bad grades on the history exam.
- Las malas notas me preocupan mucho.The bad grades worry me a lot.
- Él sacó malas notas en matemáticas este semestre.He got bad grades in math this semester.
Example conversation
Elena and Alejandro are talking about their school reports.
- ElenaAlejandro, ¿sacaste malas notas en el examen?Alejandro, did you get bad grades on the exam?
- AlejandroSí, mis notas fueron muy bajas.Yes, my grades were very low.
- ElenaYo también tengo malas notas en historia.I also have bad grades in history.
- AlejandroNecesitamos estudiar más juntos.We need to study more together.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
