examen de ortografía
/eɡsamen de oɾtoɡɾafia/from spelling rules
The English phrase "spelling test" is translated into Spanish as examen de ortografía.
A spelling test is an assessment used to verify if a student can write words using the correct letters. In many Spanish-speaking educational settings, you may encounter the term dictado, which refers to a specific type of spelling test where a teacher speaks words or sentences aloud for students to write down.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase examen de ortografía literally means "exam of spelling". It is composed of examen (exam/test) and de ortografía (of spelling).
How do you pronounce it?
/eɡsamen de oɾtoɡɾafia/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid using examen de deletreo. While this may seem like a direct translation of "spelling exam", the word deletreo refers specifically to the act of reciting letters one by one. To refer to the correct written form of words, use ortografía instead.
Did you know?
- The Spanish word examen shares a common Latin ancestor with the word enjambre, which means 'swarm'.
- The Spanish Royal Academy, the official body governing the language, releases updated rules for ortografía that can change the 'correct' way to spell common words.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, a dictado is not just a test of spelling but a fundamental way to practice rhythm, punctuation, and accent marks simultaneously.
Examples in context
- Mañana tenemos un examen de ortografía.Tomorrow we have a spelling test.
- El profesor nos va a hacer una prueba de ortografía.The teacher is going to give us a spelling test.
- Hicimos un dictado en clase hoy.We had a spelling test in class today.
- Mañana tengo un examen de ortografía.Tomorrow I have a spelling test.
- El examen de ortografía fue muy difícil.The spelling test was very difficult.
- ¿Estás listo para el examen de ortografía?Are you ready for the spelling test?
Example conversation
Two students are talking in the school hallway.
- Daniel¿Estudiaste para el examen de ortografía, Elena?Did you study for the spelling test, Elena?
- ElenaSí, estudié mucho toda la noche.Yes, I studied a lot all night.
- DanielEspero que nos vaya muy bien.I hope we do very well.
- ElenaYo también, Daniel. ¡Buena suerte!Me too, Daniel. Good luck!
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries de, examen, ortografía, CC BY-SA 4.0.
