nota aprobatoria
/nota apɾobatoɾja/from spelling rules
The English phrase "passing grade" is translated into Spanish as nota aprobatoria.
The term refers to the minimum score required to pass a test or a course. In academic contexts, you may also use the synonym calificación aprobatoria.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of nota (grade/note) and aprobatoria (approving/passing).
Which one should you use?
You may see calificación aprobatoria used as a common synonym in academic settings. To express the opposite, a failing grade, use nota reprobatoria.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The variation nota de aprobación is used in certain regions to convey the same concept.
How do you pronounce it?
/nota apɾobatoɾja/
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, achieving a nota aprobatoria is sometimes celebrated by students who use the phrase salvar los muebles, which literally means 'saving the furniture'.
- While nota aprobatoria is the formal term, students in some Latin American countries might refer to a passing grade as pasar raspando if they barely achieved the minimum.
- The word aprobatoria shares a root with the English word 'probation', as both stem from the Latin 'probare', meaning 'to test' or 'to prove'.
Examples in context
- Obtuve un aprobado.I got a passing grade.
- María obtuvo un aprobado en matemáticas.María got a passing grade in math.
- El estudiante logró un aprobado en la asignatura de historia.The student achieved a passing grade in history.
- ¡Estoy feliz de haber sacado un aprobado en el examen!I'm happy to have received a passing grade on the exam!
- Necesito una nota aprobatoria para pasar el curso.I need a passing grade to pass the course.
- La nota aprobatoria es un cinco.The passing grade is a five.
- ¿Cuál es la nota aprobatoria de este examen?What is the passing grade for this exam?
- No alcancé la nota aprobatoria en el curso.I didn't reach the passing grade in the course.
Example conversation
María and Alejandro are discussing their recent math exam results.
- MaríaAlejandro, ¿sabes cuál es la nota aprobatoria?Alejandro, do you know what the passing grade is?
- AlejandroSí, la nota aprobatoria es un seis.Yes, the passing grade is a six.
- MaríaMenos mal que saqué un siete.It's a good thing I got a seven.
- Alejandro¡Felicidades, María!Congratulations, María!
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
