tomar notas
/tomaɾ notas/from spelling rules
To take notes in Spanish is tomar notas.
The phrase is used when you want to express the act of writing down important information so that you can remember it later.
What does it mean word for word?
The verb tomar literally means 'to take' or 'to grab'.
Which one should you use?
While tomar notas is understood, tomar apuntes is a more common way to express the idea of taking notes, particularly in an academic or classroom setting. You can also use the single verb anotar as a more concise way to say 'to note down' or 'to jot down'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, you may also hear the alternative expression sacar apuntes to mean 'to take notes'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The gerund form for 'taking notes' is tomando notas.
How do you pronounce it?
/tomaɾ notas/
Did you know?
- The verb apuntar, used for jotting down a quick note, is the same word used to describe aiming a weapon or a camera at a target.
- The phrase tomar notas uses the same verb as tomar el sol, which means 'to sunbathe' or literally 'to take the sun'.
- In some Latin American classrooms, taking notes is often a structured activity called dictado, where the teacher dictates the text slowly so students can write it verbatim.
Examples in context
- Asegúrate de tomar notas.Make sure to take notes.This sentence is useful for practicing the phrase tomar notas.Tatoeba #10095050 by manufrutos, translation #10094836 by ddnktr
- Debes tomar apuntes durante la conferencia.You should take notes during the conference.
- Voy a apuntar los puntos principales de la clase.I'm going to take note of the main points in class.
- Siempre anoto las ideas clave para recordarlas después.I always jot down the key ideas to remember later.
- Recuerda sacar apuntes durante la lección.Remember to take notes during the lesson.
- Debes tomar notas durante la clase.You should take notes during the class.
- Voy a tomar notas de la reunión.I am going to take notes of the meeting.
Example conversation
A student and a teacher in a classroom.
- ElenaDaniel, ¿vas a tomar notas hoy?Daniel, are you going to take notes today?
- DanielSí, Elena, ya tengo mi cuaderno listo.Yes, Elena, I already have my notebook ready.
- ElenaMuy bien, porque la lección es importante.Very well, because the lesson is important.
- DanielEntendido, voy a tomar notas de todo.Understood, I am going to take notes on everything.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
