notation
/nɔ.ta.sjɔ̃/
The English phrase "scoring" can be translated into French as notation, referring to the act of assigning a numerical value or grade to a performance or piece of work.
notation is used to describe the process of assigning grades or numerical values to work or performance. Other expressions exist in different contexts, such as the slang verb Cartonner which means excelling or acing something.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The expression gratter un point is specific to France.
How do you pronounce it?
The word notation is pronounced /nɔ.ta.sjɔ̃/ and has 3 syllables.
Did you know?
- French grading typically uses a 20-point scale rather than the 100-point scale common in the US. Because of this, a score of 15 is considered very good and 20 is viewed as nearly impossible for a human to achieve.
- The French word for a musical score is not notation but une partition, a term derived from the idea of dividing a whole into parts.
- In a French classroom, the verb noter does not just mean 'to write a note' as it does in English, but specifically means 'to grade' or 'to score'.
Examples in context
- Il a marqué un butHe scored a goal.
- Il a réussi à marquer des points importantsHe succeeded in scoring crucial points.
- Il a enregistré un bon scoreHe recorded a good score.
- Il a cartonné dans son examenHe scored really well in his exam.
- La notation est très stricte dans ce cours.The grading is very strict in this course.
- Il faut vérifier la notation de l'examen.We need to check the scoring of the exam.
- Le professeur a terminé sa notation hier.The teacher finished her grading yesterday.
Example conversation
Two students are discussing their recent test results.
- GabrielAs-tu vu la notation de ton examen, Manon ?Did you see the scoring of your exam, Manon?
- ManonOui, Gabriel, je trouve que c'est injuste.Yes, Gabriel, I find it unfair.
- GabrielMoi aussi, la notation semble très sévère.Me too, the scoring seems very severe.
- ManonOn devrait en parler au professeur.We should talk to the teacher about it.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry notation, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
