punto cero
/punto θeɾo/from spelling rules
The English phrase "zero point" is translated into Spanish as punto cero.
punto cero is used to denote the starting point or the origin of a scale or a coordinate system.
How do you pronounce it?
/punto θeɾo/
Did you know?
- In some contexts, saying punto at the end of a sentence can be used as a conversational tool to indicate that a discussion is closed and not open for debate.
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, punto is used to describe a stitch in sewing or a surgical suture.
- The word cero entered Spanish through Andalusian Arabic, coming from the Classical Arabic word ṣifr, which means 'empty' or 'void'.
Examples in context
- La temperatura es cero punto tres grados CelsiusThe temperature is 0.3 degrees Celsius
- El punto cero es la base de la escala.The zero point is the base of the scale.
- Debemos marcar el punto cero en el mapa.We must mark the zero point on the map.
- El experimento comienza en el punto cero.The experiment starts at the zero point.
Example conversation
Two students are working on a geometry project in class.
- SofíaJavier, ¿dónde ponemos el punto cero?Javier, where do we put the zero point?
- JavierPonlo justo aquí en el origen.Put it right here at the origin.
- SofíaEstá bien, ya marqué el punto cero.Okay, I already marked the zero point.
- JavierPerfecto, ahora podemos trazar las líneas.Perfect, now we can draw the lines.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cero, punto, CC BY-SA 4.0.
