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cátedra

KAH-teh-drah/ˈkatedɾa/

professorship

Also: chair, lecture
NounfB2formal
A university professor standing behind a large wooden podium in a grand lecture hall.

📝 In Action

Ella obtuvo la cátedra de Biología en la Universidad de Madrid.

B2

She obtained the Biology chair at the University of Madrid.

El profesor está preparando su próxima cátedra.

B2

The professor is preparing his next university lecture.

Ganar una cátedra requiere años de investigación y estudio.

C1

Earning a professorship requires years of research and study.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • profesorado (faculty/teaching body)
  • magisterio (teaching/mastery)

Antonyms

  • alumnado (student body)

Common Collocations

  • ganar una cátedra – to win a professorship
  • opositar a una cátedra – to apply/compete for a university chair

mastery

Also: authority
NounfC1
An expert craftsman confidently demonstrating a skill to an attentive audience.

📝 In Action

Ese futbolista dio una cátedra de cómo jugar en equipo.

B2

That soccer player gave a master class on how to play as a team.

Sus palabras sentaron cátedra en el mundo de la moda.

C1

Her words became the definitive authority in the fashion world.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • inexperiencia (inexperience)

Common Collocations

  • dar una cátedra – to give a master class/lesson

Idioms & Expressions

  • sentar cátedra – To speak or act as an ultimate authority that others should follow

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "cátedra" in Spanish:

professorship→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: cátedra

Question 1 of 3

If someone 'sienta cátedra' about a topic, what are they doing?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
catedrático(senior professor) — Noun
catedral(cathedral) — Noun
catedrilla(small/humble professorship) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
piedrahiedra
📚 Etymology▼

From Latin 'cathedra' (seat with a back), which comes from the Greek 'kathédra' (seat). Originally, it referred to the actual chair where a teacher or bishop sat.

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: cathedralFrench: chaire

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'cátedra' the same as 'catedral'?

No, but they are related! 'Catedral' (cathedral) is the building where the 'cátedra' (the bishop's throne) is located.

Can I use 'cátedra' to mean a regular chair I sit on at home?

No, for a regular chair, you must use 'silla'. 'Cátedra' is reserved for academic positions or figurative mastery.

What is a 'catedrático'?

A 'catedrático' is the person (the professor) who holds the 'cátedra' (the position).