cultura
/kool-TOO-rah/
culture
Cultura as the customs, arts, and achievements of a particular group.
cultura(noun)
culture
?The customs, arts, and achievements of a particular group.
way of life
?Referring to shared societal habits.
📝 In Action
La cultura española es muy rica en tradiciones.
A2Spanish culture is very rich in traditions.
El museo de arte moderno promueve la cultura.
B1The modern art museum promotes culture.
💡 Grammar Points
Always Feminine
Even though 'cultura' ends in '-a', remember that almost all words ending in '-tura' are feminine, so you always use 'la' or 'una' with it.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using the wrong article
Mistake: "El cultura"
Correction: La cultura. The word is feminine, so use the feminine article 'la'.
⭐ Usage Tips
Talking about groups
To talk about a specific group’s culture, use 'la cultura' followed by 'de' (e.g., 'la cultura de la empresa' - the company culture).
Cultura referring to a person's knowledge or intellectual refinement, often achieved through education.
cultura(noun)
education
?A person's knowledge or intellectual refinement.
,cultivation
?Intellectual development.
learning
?The acquisition of knowledge.
📝 In Action
Es una persona con mucha cultura general.
B2She is a person with a lot of general knowledge (or general culture).
Para tener cultura, hay que leer mucho.
C1To be well-educated, you have to read a lot.
💡 Grammar Points
General Knowledge
When talking about broad knowledge, use the phrase 'cultura general' (general knowledge/culture). It's a fixed phrase.
⭐ Usage Tips
The adjective form
The adjective for someone who is knowledgeable is 'culto' (masculine) or 'culta' (feminine).
Cultura meaning the cultivation or growing of crops.
cultura(noun)
cultivation
?The growing of crops or raising of living things.
,crop
?The specific plant being grown.
farming
?Agricultural practice.
📝 In Action
La cultura del arroz requiere mucha agua.
C1The cultivation of rice requires a lot of water.
Están haciendo una cultura de bacterias en el laboratorio.
C2They are growing a culture of bacteria in the lab.
💡 Grammar Points
Specialized Context
This meaning is usually followed by 'de' and the specific item being grown or developed (e.g., 'cultura de maíz' or 'cultura de hongos').
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: cultura
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'cultura' to mean 'knowledge' or 'education'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'cultura' a cognate? Does it mean exactly the same as the English 'culture'?
Yes, 'cultura' is a perfect cognate, meaning it looks and sounds very similar to 'culture' and shares the same primary definitions, covering arts, traditions, and general knowledge. You can use it confidently in most contexts where you would use the English word.
Can 'cultura' be used to talk about bacteria or farming?
Yes, but this is a more formal or scientific use. When talking about growing plants (like crops) or breeding microorganisms in a lab, 'cultura' refers to the act of cultivation or the growth itself.