punto

point

noun POON-toh Common

Origin: From Latin punctum (a prick, a point).

Also means

dot

Usage Note

Punto covers the geometric point, a score in sport (ganamos por tres puntos — we won by three points), a dot in writing, and a viewpoint (desde mi punto de vista — from my point of view). En punto after a time means 'exactly' (a las tres en punto — at exactly three o'clock). Dos puntos is the colon (:) in Spanish punctuation. Poner los puntos sobre las íes (to dot the i's) means to be precise about something.

Examples

"Ganamos el partido por un punto."

Natural Translation

We won the match by one point.

Free starter pack

Building your Spanish vocabulary?

Get the 100 most common Spanish words as a free PDF — one email, no spam.

Related Words

Explore Spanish by topic

SpanishNow

Spanish False Friends That Cause Real Embarrassment

Spanish false friends like embarazada and excitado don't mean what you think. Learn the trap words, the right ones to say instead, and how to stop guessing.

June 3, 2026 6 min read

SpanishNow

Spanish Accent Marks: 3 Rules for Every Word

A Spanish word needs an accent mark in just three cases: it breaks the default stress, it's a homophone, or a weak vowel splits off. Here are all three rules.

June 3, 2026 6 min read

SpanishNow

How to Tell Time in Spanish: A Beginner's Guide

Tell time in Spanish with one formula: es la una vs son las, y and menos for minutes, plus de la mañana, en punto, and 24-hour station times.

June 9, 2026 5 min read

SpanishNow

Ser vs. Estar: When to Use Each in Spanish

Ser vs estar made simple: how you feel and where you are use estar, everything else uses ser. Master the rule, the exceptions, and the traps that flip meaning.

June 3, 2026 6 min read