marcar
/maɾˈkaɾ/
In Spanish, to dial a number or call someone on a telephone is marcar. Wiktionary also lists discar.
Meaning: to select a number, or to call someone, on a telephone (verb)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| marcar | /maɾˈkaɾ/ |
| discar | /disˈkaɾ/ |
The most natural way to say "to dial a number" is to use the verb with the noun número, specifically marcar un número. The related noun forms for a physical telephone disk or a circular graduated scale are dial.
Which one should you use?
marcar is the standard and most common way to say "to dial" in modern Spanish. In contrast, discar is much less common and often refers specifically to the physical action of using a rotary dial.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
/maɾˈkaɾ/
Did you know?
- The word marca (the root of marcar) is the standard word for a commercial 'brand'. Thus, 'dialing' and 'branding' share the same linguistic root in Spanish.
- The verb marcar is also the standard word used by referees to 'call' a foul or a penalty in many sports.
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, if you say marcar el gol, you are not dialing anything, but rather 'marking' or 'scoring' a goal in football.
Examples in context
- ¿Puedes marcarme el número? El teléfono está muy alto.Could you dial for me? The telephone is too high.This sentence is useful for asking someone to dial a number for you using marcar.Tatoeba #2836 by sarostegui, translation #1661 by AlanF_US
- Necesito marcar el número de teléfono.I need to dial the phone number.
- ¿Podrías marcarle al técnico para pedir ayuda?Could you dial the technician to ask for help?
- Tienes que marcar el número correctamente.You have to dial the number correctly.
- Él no sabe cómo marcar el código de área.He doesn't know how to dial the area code.
Example conversation
Mateo is trying to call a restaurant but is having trouble.
- MateoSofía, ¿puedes ayudarme a marcar el número?Sofía, can you help me dial the number?
- SofíaClaro, Mateo. ¿Qué número quieres marcar?Sure, Mateo. Which number do you want to dial?
- MateoEl de la pizzería, por favor.The pizza place's number, please.
- SofíaEstá bien, lo voy a marcar ahora.Okay, I'm going to dial it now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “dial” translations and entries marcar, discar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
