A2 noun Neutre #1,000 le plus courant 3 min de lecture

nota

/ˈnɔtɐ/

Overview

The Portuguese word 'nota' is a versatile term with several distinct meanings, making it a common and essential part of everyday communication. Its primary meanings encompass 'grade,' 'note,' and 'bill' (referring to currency).

  1. 1Grade (Academic Context): In an academic or educational setting, 'nota' directly translates to 'grade' or 'mark.' It is used to express a student's performance on an assignment, test, or overall course. For instance, 'Tirei uma nota alta no exame' means 'I got a high grade on the exam.' Similarly, 'Qual foi a sua nota final?' translates to 'What was your final grade?' This usage is ubiquitous in schools, universities, and any context where performance is quantitatively assessed.
  1. 1Note (Written or Musical): 'Nota' can also mean 'note' in the sense of a short written message, a comment, or a musical note. For example, 'Deixei uma nota para você na mesa' means 'I left a note for you on the table.' When referring to music, 'Ele tocou uma nota alta' translates to 'He played a high note.' It can also refer to an explanatory note or a footnote in a text, such as 'Por favor, leia as notas de rodapé' ('Please read the footnotes').
  1. 1Bill/Banknote (Money): Another common meaning of 'nota' is a 'bill' or 'banknote' when referring to currency. For instance, 'Uma nota de dez euros' means 'a ten-euro bill.' If you're paying for something, you might say, 'Você tem uma nota menor?' ('Do you have a smaller bill?'). This usage is crucial for financial transactions and discussions about money.

Beyond these primary meanings, 'nota' can also appear in various idiomatic expressions and less common contexts:

  • 'Tomar nota': To take notes, to make a mental note, or to pay attention. E.g., 'Vou tomar nota do que você disse' ('I'm going to take note of what you said').
  • 'Dar nota': To give a grade or to rate something. E.g., 'Ele deu uma nota dez para o filme' ('He gave the movie a ten').
  • 'Nota fiscal': A tax receipt or invoice, which is an important document for legal and financial purposes.
  • 'Nota de rodapé': Footnote.
  • 'Nota de falecimento': Obituary.

Understanding the context is key to correctly interpreting 'nota.' Whether you're discussing academic achievements, jotting down a message, or handling money, 'nota' is a fundamental word in the Portuguese vocabulary, demonstrating the richness and nuance of the language.

Exemples

1

Tirei uma nota alta na prova de português.

education

I got a high grade on the Portuguese test.

2

Deixei uma nota para você na mesa da cozinha.

communication

I left a note for you on the kitchen table.

3

Você tem uma nota de dez reais para trocar?

finance

Do you have a ten-real bill to change?

4

Por favor, preste atenção na nota musical que estou tocando.

music

Please pay attention to the musical note I'm playing.

5

Ele sempre anota tudo em sua caderneta de notas.

general

He always jots everything down in his notebook.

Collocations courantes

nota fiscal
nota de repúdio
caderno de notas
ter em conta

Souvent confondu avec

nota vs notar
verb, to notice

Modèles grammaticaux

dar uma nota (to give a grade) tirar uma nota (to get a grade) fazer uma nota (to make a note)

Comment l'utiliser

Notes d'usage

The usage of 'nota' in Portuguese is highly dependent on context, making it a versatile but sometimes tricky word for learners. When referring to academic performance, 'nota' is almost exclusively used for grades, as in 'Minha nota em matemática foi dez' (My grade in math was ten). For musical contexts, it's used for individual notes or musical scores; for example, 'Essa nota é um dó' (This note is a C). When discussing money, 'nota' specifically refers to a banknote or bill, as in 'Preciso de uma nota de cinquenta reais' (I need a fifty-real bill). It's important to distinguish this from 'moeda,' which refers to coins. Additionally, 'nota' can mean a short written message or a memo, similar to a 'note' in English, as in 'Deixei uma nota para você na geladeira' (I left a note for you on the fridge). Furthermore, 'nota' can also be used to mean 'reputation' or 'standing,' as in 'Ele tem boa nota no mercado' (He has a good reputation in the market). Pay close attention to accompanying prepositions and verbs, as they often clarify the intended meaning. For instance, 'tirar uma nota' usually implies receiving a grade, while 'fazer uma nota' could refer to writing a note or even earning money depending on the broader conversation.


Erreurs courantes

One common mistake is confusing 'nota' with other words that might sound similar or have related meanings in English but are distinct in Portuguese. For example, 'note' as in a musical note is also 'nota', but 'note' as in a short letter or message could also be 'bilhete' or 'recado'. Another mistake might be using 'nota' exclusively for a school grade and forgetting its other uses like a banknote. Context is key! Always consider the context in which 'nota' is used to determine its precise meaning. For example, 'tirar uma nota boa' means 'to get a good grade', while 'pagar com uma nota de 10 euros' means 'to pay with a 10 euro bill'.

Astuces

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Common Pitfalls

A common mistake for learners is to confuse 'nota' as a 'note' (short message) with 'apontamento' or 'observação' which can also mean 'note' in different contexts. 'Nota' is generally used for a more formal or intentional written message, or a quick reminder. Also, remember that it's feminine, so use appropriate articles and adjectives (e.g., 'a nota', 'uma nota alta').
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Practical Usage

To sound more natural, try to incorporate 'nota' into various phrases. For example, when talking about school, you might say 'tirar uma nota boa/ruim' (to get a good/bad grade). When talking about money, 'uma nota de cem' (a hundred-unit bill). For written messages, 'deixar uma nota' (to leave a note). Practicing these common collocations will help solidify your understanding and usage.

Origine du mot

The Portuguese word 'nota' originates from the Latin word 'nota'. In Latin, 'nota' had a broad range of meanings, including a mark, sign, stamp, character, letter, or even a brand. It could refer to a distinguishing mark, a written sign, or a musical note. Over time, as Latin evolved into the Romance languages, the meaning of 'nota' began to specialize and diversify. In Old Portuguese, the term retained many of its Latin senses, being used for a written character, a sign, or a distinguishing mark. The development of its primary meanings in modern Portuguese can be traced through several paths: 1. Grade (academic): This meaning likely developed from the idea of a 'mark' or 'sign' indicating performance or achievement. Just as a mark could signify something, an academic 'nota' came to signify a level of success or failure in an evaluation. This usage is common across many Romance languages. 2. Note (short written message, musical note, observation): This meaning is very close to the original Latin sense of a 'written sign' or 'character'. A 'note' can be a brief written record, an observation taken down, or a specific sound in music, all of which align with the idea of a distinct mark or sign. 3. Bill (money): The use of 'nota' to refer to a banknote or a bill for payment is a more recent development. This likely stems from the idea of a 'note' as an official document or a piece of paper with specific markings or writing that represents value. In many languages, the word for a banknote is related to the idea of a 'note' or a 'paper'. For instance, in English, we have 'banknote' and the informal 'bill'. The Portuguese 'nota' for money became prevalent as paper currency replaced coins, with the paper itself being a 'note' or a marked document of value. In summary, the evolution of 'nota' from its Latin root demonstrates a consistent thread of 'marking' or 'signifying,' which branched out to encompass academic evaluations, written communications, musical symbols, and eventually, paper currency, each representing a specific form of 'mark' or 'significance'.

Contexte culturel

In Portuguese-speaking cultures, the word 'nota' carries a rich and varied cultural weight. Beyond its direct translations, it often reflects social and educational values. For instance, in an academic setting, a 'boa nota' (good grade) is highly valued and can be a source of family pride, influencing future opportunities. The concept of 'tirar nota' (to get a grade) is deeply ingrained in the student experience. Musically, a 'nota' goes beyond a simple tone; it's a fundamental element of artistic expression and communication, often evoking specific emotions or memories depending on the cultural context of the music. When referring to money, a 'nota' is not just a piece of currency; it can be associated with transactions, wealth, and the economic well-being of individuals and families. The act of 'dar uma nota' (to give a note) or 'passar uma nota' (to pass a note) can have implications for trust and social interactions, particularly in informal exchanges. The versatility of 'nota' highlights its deep integration into the everyday language and social fabric.

Astuce mémo

To remember 'nota', think of 'notation' which is a system of marks or symbols used to represent information, similar to a 'note' or a 'grade'. For 'bill' (money), you can think of making a 'note' of how much money you have.

Questions fréquentes

4 questions
The Portuguese word 'nota' is quite versatile and has several primary meanings. Most commonly, it refers to a 'grade' or 'mark' in an academic context, such as a test score or a final evaluation. It can also mean a 'note,' like a short written message, a musical note, or a record of something. Additionally, 'nota' is frequently used to mean a 'bill' or 'banknote,' referring to paper money, or a 'receipt' for a purchase.
Yes, absolutely! In the context of music, 'nota' is the standard Portuguese term for a 'musical note.' So, whether you're talking about the 'nota dó' (C note) or a whole series of notes that make up a melody, 'nota' is the correct and commonly used word. It's one of its key applications beyond academic grades or financial bills.
When discussing money, 'nota' can have a couple of meanings. Most frequently, it refers to a 'banknote' or 'bill' – for example, 'uma nota de cem reais' means a hundred-reais bill. It can also be used to mean a 'receipt' or an 'invoice' for a purchase, as in 'pedir a nota fiscal' (to ask for the tax receipt). So, depending on the context, it can signify either the paper currency itself or the document proving a transaction.
Yes, there are several common expressions using 'nota' in Portuguese. For instance, 'tirar uma nota boa' means to get a good grade. 'Tomar nota' or 'fazer uma nota' means to make a note or jot something down. 'Dar nota' can mean to give a grade, but also to 'notice' or 'pay attention to' something, as in 'ele deu nota na minha nova roupa' (he noticed my new clothes). Another common phrase is 'nota fiscal,' which specifically refers to a tax receipt or invoice.

Teste-toi

fill blank

A professora deu uma ______ alta para o meu trabalho.

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
fill blank

Vou deixar uma ______ para o meu colega sobre a reunião.

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
fill blank

Você tem uma ______ de cinquenta euros para trocar?

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :

Score : /3

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