The simple present tense of marcar is used to express actions happening in the present moment or habitual actions. For example, Ella marca el número de su amiga. (She dials her friend’s number.)

Marcar is a regular -ar verb, so its conjugations in the simple present follow the typical pattern for this verb type.

Conjugations

Conjugations of Marcar (to mark) in the Present Tense tense (Latin American Spanish):

Marcar generally means to mark, score, or dial, but has several different meanings in the Present Tense, some of which might surprise you.

To mark or make a mark: for example, Marco las páginas importantes con un resaltador (I mark the important pages with a highlighter).

To score points: for example, El equipo marca muchos goles en cada partido (The team scores many goals in each game).

To dial a phone number: for example, Marco el número de mi amigo para llamarlo (I dial my friend’s number to call him).

To indicate or show: for example, El reloj marca las 3 de la tarde (The clock shows 3 o’clock in the afternoon).

To leave a mark or impression: for example, Este evento me marca para siempre (This event leaves a lasting impression on me).

To emphasize or accentuate (colloquial): for example, La modelo marca mucho su cintura con ese vestido (The model really accentuates her waistline with that dress).

To follow or stalk someone (slang): for example, No me gusta que me marquen cuando camino por la calle (I don’t like it when people follow me when I walk down the street).

Examples

Examples of Marcar in the Present Tense

Yo marco el número de mi amigo para saludarlo. (I’m calling my friend to say hello.)

Tú marcas la diferencia con tu actitud positiva. (You make a difference with your positive attitude.)

Ella marca su territorio con un perfume especial. (She marks her territory with a special perfume.)

Nosotros marcamos la ruta con banderines para no perdernos. (We’re marking the trail with flags so we don’t get lost.)

Ellos marcan la tendencia con su estilo único. (They’re setting the trend with their unique style.)

Mi hermana marca las páginas importantes del libro con un resaltador. (My sister highlights the important pages of the book.)

Ustedes marcan el ritmo de la fiesta con su energía contagiosa. (You set the pace of the party with your contagious energy.)

El equipo marca un gol en el último minuto, ¡qué emoción! (The team scores a goal in the last minute, how exciting!)

La profesora marca los errores en nuestros ensayos para que aprendamos. (The teacher marks the errors in our essays so we can learn.)

En la oficina, marcamos nuestras horas de entrada y salida. (At the office, we clock in and out.)

Los atletas marcan su mejor tiempo en la competencia. (The athletes set their best time in the competition.)

Mi mamá marca la ropa con nuestros nombres para no confundirla. (My mom labels our clothes with our names so they don’t get mixed up.)

En la reunión, marcamos los puntos más importantes en la agenda. (In the meeting, we highlight the most important points on the agenda.)

El chef marca la diferencia con su sazón único. (The chef makes a difference with their unique seasoning.)

Los activistas marcan su posición con pancartas y consignas. (The activists make their position clear with signs and chants.)

Conjugations with English Translations

Conjugations of Marcar (to mark) in the Present Tense tense (Latin American Spanish) with English Translations:

This post covers Latin American Spanish. For Castilian Spanish, click here

Synonyms

The Present tense is also known as the Simple Present, Present Simple, Present Tense, or Present Indicative in English, and as Presente de Indicativo, Presente Simple, Tiempo Presente, or Indicativo Presente in Spanish.