punteado
/punteˈado/
The Spanish word for 'dotted' is punteado.
The adjective punteado is used to describe something, such as a line, that is made up of a series of dots.
Meaning: (of a line) made up of a series of dots (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is derived from punto, which means 'dot' or 'point'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, you might use salpicado to describe a pattern or surface covered with small dots.
How does it change in a sentence?
As an adjective, the word must agree in gender with the noun it modifies, changing the final -o to -a for feminine nouns. Use punteada for feminine nouns, punteados for masculine plural nouns and punteadas for feminine plural nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/punteˈado/
When do people say it?
The informal expression Con motas can be used to describe a pattern or design with specks or flecks.
Did you know?
- When talking about textiles, a pattern of small dots is often called lunares instead of using a word for 'dotted', as the pattern is named after 'small moons'.
- In the context of music, punteado refers to a plucked string technique rather than a visual pattern of dots.
- In Spanish, a 'bullet point' in a list is called a viñeta rather than a punto, despite being a small dot.
Examples in context
- La línea punteada en el gráfico indica la trayectoria esperada.The dotted line on the graph indicates the expected trajectory.
- El artista utilizó un estilo punteado para crear una textura única en su obra.The artist used a dotted style to create a unique texture in his work.
- Esa tela tiene un estampado con puntos.That fabric has a pattern with dots.
- Me encanta tu vestido a lunares.I love your polka dot dress.
- El camino tiene un borde punteado.The path has a dotted edge.
- El patrón es un diseño punteado.The pattern is a dotted design.
Example conversation
Alejandro and Lucía are looking at a manual for a new sewing machine.
- Alejandro¿Dónde está la costura punteada?Where is the dotted stitch?
- LucíaEstá justo debajo de la línea recta.It is right below the straight line.
- AlejandroAh, ya veo el trazo punteado.Ah, I see the dotted stroke now.
- LucíaPerfecto, ahora podemos empezar.Perfect, now we can start.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry punteado, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
