tomar notas
/tomaɾ notas/from spelling rules
To take notes in Spanish is to say tomar notas.
The phrase tomar notas is used to mean making a record of what one hears or observes. You can also use the phrase hacer apuntes to mean make notes. If you want to be more concise, the single verb anotar is a common way to say to note down or to jot something down.
Meaning: make a record of what one hears or observes (verb)
Which one should you use?
While tomar notas is a direct translation, if you are specifically referring to taking notes during a lecture or while studying, the form tomar apuntes is often more common.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the continuous action of taking notes, use the gerund form tomando notas.
How do you pronounce it?
/tomaɾ notas/
Did you know?
- In some Spanish-speaking countries, apuntar is used colloquially to mean 'to sign up' for an activity, as if adding one's name to a list of notes.
- In some Spanish-speaking regions, if you are asked to tomar nota of something, it might not mean writing it down, but rather simply 'taking notice' or acknowledging a situation.
- While tomar means 'to take' in the context of notes, it is also the standard verb used for drinking a beverage, such as tomar un café.
Examples in context
- Asegúrate de tomar notas.Make sure to take notes.This sentence is useful for practicing the phrase tomar notas in an imperative context.Tatoeba #10095050 by manufrutos, translation #10094836 by ddnktr
- Por favor, toma apuntes durante la reunión.Please take notes during the meeting.
- Es importante tomar apuntes durante las clases universitarias.It is important to take notes during university classes.
- Voy a tomar notas durante la charla.I'm going to take notes during the talk.
- Apúntalo para que no se te olvide.Write it down so you don't forget.
- Debes tomar notas durante la clase.You should take notes during the class.
Example conversation
Two students are studying in a library.
- Elena¿Puedes tomar notas de lo que dice el profesor?Can you take notes of what the professor says?
- MateoClaro, yo voy a tomar notas de todo.Sure, I am going to take notes of everything.
- ElenaGracias, Mateo, me ayudarás mucho.Thanks, Mateo, you will help me a lot.
- MateoNo hay problema, Elena.No problem, Elena.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
