punkten
to score
To score points in a game, competition, or exam.
EXAMPLE
Die Mannschaft konnte in der zweiten Halbzeit noch zweimal punkten.
The team was able to score twice more in the second half.
punkten
to score / to impress
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Meanings
punkten
to score points
Colloquial for gaining an advantage, making a good impression, or being well received by someone.
EXAMPLE
Mit seiner Hilfsbereitschaft konnte er bei den neuen Kollegen sofort punkten.
With his helpfulness, he was able to score points with his new colleagues right away.
punkten
to dot / perforate
To mark or cover something with dots or small holes, for example a pattern on fabric or paper.
EXAMPLE
Das Papier wurde fein gepunktet, um die Faltlinie anzuzeigen.
The paper was finely perforated to indicate the fold line.
Usage tips
Word family
The verb 'punkten' (to score) comes directly from the noun 'der Punkt' (the point). Literally, it means to make or collect points.
EXAMPLE
In diesem Quiz kann man mit jeder richtigen Antwort punkten.
In this quiz, you can score points with every correct answer.
Sentence structure with prepositions
When you make a good impression, you 'punkten' (score points) 'bei' (with) a person 'mit' (with) a certain quality or action. So the structure is: punkten bei + dative + mit + dative.
EXAMPLE
Er hat bei seiner Chefin mit seiner Pünktlichkeit gepunktet.
He scored points with his boss through his punctuality.
Register: colloquial
The meaning 'einen guten Eindruck machen' (to make a good impression) is colloquial. In formal situations, you would usually choose other expressions.
EXAMPLE
Mit diesem Witz hast du bei der Gruppe echt gepunktet.
You really scored points with the group with that joke.
Context: sports and games
In the meaning 'Punkte erzielen' (to score points), the verb is used almost exclusively in the context of sports, games, or competitions.
EXAMPLE
Unsere Mannschaft muss in diesem Spiel unbedingt punkten, um die Meisterschaft zu gewinnen.
Our team absolutely has to score in this game in order to win the championship.
Context: crafts
The meaning 'mit Punkten markieren' (to mark with dots) is very specific and is mainly used in crafts or technical contexts. It often appears in the passive.
EXAMPLE
Der Karton wird entlang der gepunkteten Linie gefaltet.
The cardboard is folded along the dotted line.
Compare with
punkten vs erzielen
to achieve
Erzielen and punkten can both express someone getting points. Erzielen is especially appropriate when the specific result or number of points is mentioned. Punkten focuses more on the process or successful performance in a competition or exam.
punkten
Mia punktete im Test besonders bei den Textaufgaben.
Mia did particularly well on the reading comprehension questions in the test.
erzielen
Mia erzielte im Test 18 Punkte.
Mia scored 18 points on the test.
In real life
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