punto decimal
/punto deθimal/from spelling rulesmasculine
The English phrase "decimal point" is translated into Spanish as punto decimal. Wiktionary also lists coma decimal.
Meaning: the point used in English mathematics (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| punto decimal | /punto deθimal/ (Spain, from spelling rules) /punto desimal/ (Latin America, from spelling rules) |
masculine |
| coma decimal | /ˌkoma deθiˈmal/ /ˌkoma desiˈmal/ |
feminine |
When reading a number with a decimal separator aloud, people often simply say coma or punto depending on the local convention.
Which one should you use?
punto decimal refers to the use of a point as the decimal separator, which is used in some Spanish-speaking regions, particularly those influenced by US standards. In contrast, in many Spanish-speaking countries, a comma is used as the decimal separator instead of a point, referred to as coma decimal.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In many Latin American countries, the decimal point is referred to as punto in both formal and informal contexts.
How do you pronounce it?
/punto deθimal/
Did you know?
- In Spanish, the word coma is a homonym that can refer to a decimal separator, a medical state of unconsciousness or a tuft of hair.
- The Spanish word punto shares its root with the English word 'puncture' because both come from the Latin verb pungō, meaning 'to prick'.
- Because of the clash between punto and coma conventions, some Spanish-speaking accountants use a point for thousands and a comma for decimals, which is the exact opposite of US standards.
Examples in context
- El número 3.14 se escribe con el punto decimal después del 3.The number 3.14 is written with the decimal point after the 3.
- La distancia entre los dos puntos es de cinco coma tres kilómetros.The distance between the two points is five point three kilometers.
- No olvides poner el punto decimal.Don't forget to put the decimal point.
- ¿Dónde va el punto decimal en este número?Where does the decimal point go in this number?
Example conversation
Alejandro is checking a math homework assignment with Elena.
- AlejandroElena, ¿puedes revisar este cálculo?Elena, can you check this calculation?
- ElenaSí, pero te falta el punto decimal aquí.Yes, but you are missing the decimal point here.
- AlejandroEs verdad, olvidé el punto decimal en el resultado.It's true, I forgot the decimal point in the result.
- ElenaNo te preocupes, ahora está correcto.Don't worry, now it is correct.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “decimal point” translations and entries punto decimal, coma decimal, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries coma, decimal, punto, CC BY-SA 4.0.
