Mi amigo está contento con la nota que obtuvo en su examen.

the friend

Breakdown of Mi amigo está contento con la nota que obtuvo en su examen.

• la: the
• en: in
• mi: my
• con: with
• estar: to be
• su: his
• que: that
• contento: happy
• él: he
• el examen: the exam
• la nota: the grade
• obtener: to obtain

Questions & Answers about Mi amigo está contento con la nota que obtuvo en su examen.

Why is está used here instead of es?

In Spanish, estar usually describes a temporary state or condition, such as someone’s current mood or emotional state. Since being happy (contento) about a grade is not a permanent quality, we use está instead of es.

What does contento mean, and are there other similar words in Spanish?

Contento means happy or pleased in English. It often implies satisfaction or a good mood. Similar words include feliz (which can imply a more lasting happiness) and alegre (which can suggest cheerfulness or joy).

Why is the preposition con used with contento?

In Spanish, certain adjectives are followed by specific prepositions. Contento typically goes with con to indicate the reason or cause of the happiness. Think of it as being “happy with something.”

What is the function of que obtuvo in the sentence?

Que obtuvo introduces a relative clause describing the nota (the grade). It literally means that he got. It gives us more information about which grade we are talking about—for example, “the grade that he got” on his exam.

Is there a difference between nota and calificación when referring to grades?

Both words can mean grade or mark in Spanish, and they’re often used interchangeably. Nota is very commonly used in Spain, while calificación can sound a bit more formal or be used in different Spanish-speaking regions.