sacar buenas notas
/sakaɾ bwenas notas/from spelling rules
To get good grades in Spanish is to say sacar buenas notas.
This phrase is used when someone receives high marks or a high score on school assignments and exams.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the verb sacar (to take out or extract), buenas (good) and notas (notes/grades).
Which one should you use?
While sacar buenas notas is the most common way to express this, you can use obtener buenas notas to mean 'to obtain good grades'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, sacar buenas calificaciones is a common way to refer to getting good grades. In Argentina, students often use the expression tener buenos promedios to talk about getting good grades.
How does it change in a sentence?
If you are referring to a single high grade rather than multiple grades, you use the singular form sacar una buena nota.
How do you pronounce it?
/sakaɾ bwenas notas/
Did you know?
- In some historical contexts, the word sacar may be linked to the Gothic word sakan, which meant 'to dispute' or 'to rebuke'.
- In Spain, the grading scale is typically 0 to 10, where a nota of 5 is the minimum required to pass.
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, a student might be described as estudioso not just for getting good grades, but for the habit of studying regardless of the result.
Examples in context
- Vamos a sacar buenas notas.We'll get good grades.This sentence demonstrates the use of sacar buenas notas.Tatoeba #5105212 by ecorralest101, translation #5105213 by Catriona
- El objetivo de todo estudiante es obtener buenas calificaciones.The goal of every student is to get good grades.
- Alicia siempre se esfuerza por sacar buenas notas en todas sus asignaturas.Alicia always strives to get good grades in all her subjects.
- José se esfuerza mucho para sacarse buenas notas en la escuela.José puts a lot of effort into getting good grades in school.
- Es importante sacar buenas notas en la escuela.It is important to get good grades in school.
- Ella estudia mucho para sacar buenas notas.She studies a lot to get good grades.
Example conversation
Two students are talking about their upcoming math exam.
- María¿Crees que vamos a sacar buenas notas en el examen?Do you think we are going to get good grades on the exam?
- MateoEspero que sí, María, porque he estudiado mucho.I hope so, María, because I have studied a lot.
- MaríaTienes razón, Mateo, el examen parece difícil.You are right, Mateo, the exam looks difficult.
- MateoNo te preocupes, estamos preparados.Don't worry, we are prepared.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries buenas, sacar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
