literatura
/lee-teh-rah-TOO-rah/
literature
The artistic world of written works, such as novels and poetry, is represented by the term literatura.
literatura(Noun)
literature
?the art of written works, such as novels, poetry, and plays
written works
?general collection of books or writings
📝 In Action
Mi clase favorita es la de literatura moderna.
B2My favorite class is modern literature.
La literatura rusa del siglo XIX es muy profunda.
C119th-century Russian literature is very profound.
Ella quiere estudiar literatura comparada en la universidad.
B2She wants to study comparative literature at university.
💡 Grammar Points
Feminine Noun Pattern
Even though many Spanish nouns ending in -a are feminine, 'literatura' is a perfect example. Always use the feminine article 'la' or 'una' with it.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Gender Confusion
Mistake: "El literatura"
Correction: La literatura. Remember this word is feminine, even if it refers to a broad, abstract field.
⭐ Usage Tips
Using 'de'
To specify the type or origin, always use 'de': 'literatura de terror' (horror literature) or 'literatura española' (Spanish literature).
When referring to written materials, scientific papers, or technical documentation, the Spanish word is also literatura.
literatura(Noun)
documentation
?written materials, scientific papers, or technical instructions
materials
?informational packets or brochures
📝 In Action
Necesitamos revisar la literatura científica antes de comenzar el experimento.
C1We need to review the scientific literature before starting the experiment.
La empresa distribuyó nueva literatura sobre sus políticas de seguridad.
C2The company distributed new literature (documentation) about its safety policies.
⭐ Usage Tips
Formal Context
This meaning is often used in formal or technical settings. In everyday Spanish, you might just use 'documentos' (documents) or 'información' instead.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: literatura
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'literatura' to mean 'technical documents' rather than 'artistic writing'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
¿Es 'literatura' solo para libros?
No, 'literatura' es un término amplio que incluye poesía, ensayos, obras de teatro y narraciones orales que han sido transcritas. No se limita solo a las novelas o libros largos.
If I want to talk about reading for fun, should I use 'literatura'?
You can! If you say, 'Me gusta leer literatura,' it means 'I like reading (written works).' But if you just want to say 'I like to read,' use the verb 'leer': 'Me gusta leer.'