disciplina
/dee-see-PLEE-nah/
discipline
When referring to self-control and rigor, 'disciplina' means discipline.
disciplina(Noun)
discipline
?self-control, rigor
,self-control
?personal restraint
training
?régimen, instruction
📝 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.
💡 Grammar Points
Always Feminine
Remember that 'disciplina' is always a feminine word, so you must use 'la' or 'una' before it.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing Gender
Mistake: "El disciplina"
Correction: La disciplina. Always use the feminine article 'la' or 'una' with this word.
⭐ Usage Tips
Discipline as Punishment
In some formal or educational contexts, 'disciplina' can also refer to the punishment or enforcement of rules, similar to 'castigo'.
In an academic setting, 'disciplina' refers to a subject or field of study.
disciplina(Noun)
subject
?academic course or area of study
,field of study
?area of research
branch
?branch of knowledge
📝 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.
💡 Grammar Points
Academic Usage
This meaning is often paired with adjectives like 'académica' (academic) or 'científica' (scientific) to clarify the area of study.
⭐ Usage Tips
Choosing the Right Word
While 'disciplina' works, if you are talking specifically about a class in school, 'materia' or 'asignatura' are often more common choices.
✏️ 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
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').