disciplina
“disciplina” means “discipline” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
discipline, self-control
Also: training
📝 In Action
Para ser un buen atleta, se necesita mucha disciplina.
B1To be a good athlete, you need a lot of discipline.
Ella tiene la disciplina de levantarse a las cinco cada mañana.
B1She has the self-control to get up at five every morning.
La falta de disciplina es un obstáculo para el éxito.
B2Lack of discipline is an obstacle to success.
subject, field of study
Also: branch
📝 In Action
La historia es una disciplina muy popular en la universidad.
A2History is a very popular subject at the university.
Hay muchas disciplinas científicas que me interesan.
B1There are many scientific fields of study that interest me.
El profesor domina varias disciplinas, desde la física hasta la química.
B2The professor masters several disciplines, from physics to chemistry.
Translate to Spanish
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: disciplina
Question 1 of 2
Which English word best translates 'disciplina' in the sentence: 'La paleontología es una disciplina fascinante.'?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
Comes directly from the Latin word *disciplīna*, which meant 'instruction, training, teaching.' It is closely related to the Latin word *discípulus* (student or learner), highlighting the original connection between learning and training.
First recorded: 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'disciplina' used for both self-control and punishment?
Yes, it can refer to both. Most commonly, it means personal self-control and rigor (like 'getting up early'). But in educational or military contexts, it can also mean the enforcement of rules or the act of punishing bad behavior.
How is 'disciplina' different from 'materia'?
They are similar when talking about school. 'Materia' (or 'asignatura') is usually preferred for a specific class you take in school (like 'Math Class'). 'Disciplina' is a broader term, usually referring to the whole field of knowledge (like 'The discipline of mathematics').