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madera

mah-DEH-rah/maˈðeɾa/

“madera” means “wood” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

wood

Also: timber, lumber
NounfA1
A close-up view of several smooth, brown wooden planks stacked neatly on top of each other.

📝 In Action

La mesa de mi cocina es de madera maciza.

A1

The table in my kitchen is made of solid wood.

Necesitamos más madera para hacer la fogata.

A2

We need more wood to make the bonfire.

El suelo de la sala tiene un hermoso acabado de madera clara.

B1

The living room floor has a beautiful light wood finish.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • leña (firewood)
  • tronco (tree trunk/log)

Common Collocations

  • madera dura – hardwood
  • madera blanda – softwood
  • ser de madera – to be made of wood

potential, talent

Also: makings, stuff
NounfB2informal
A tiny, vibrant green seedling pushing strongly out of rich dark soil, bathed in a soft, bright light.

📝 In Action

Este joven tiene madera de campeón.

B2

This young person has the makings of a champion (or: champion potential).

Creo que tienes madera para ser un gran jefe.

B2

I think you have the potential to be a great boss.

Al principio dudaba, pero demostró tener mucha madera para el baile.

C1

At first, I doubted it, but she showed she had a lot of talent for dancing.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • tener madera para algo – to have the potential/talent for something
  • madera de líder – leadership potential

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "madera" in Spanish:

lumber→makings→potential→stuff→talent→timber→wood→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: madera

Question 1 of 1

Which sentence uses 'madera' in its figurative sense (meaning talent)?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
madero(log or beam) — Noun
maderero(lumberjack or timber merchant) — Noun
maderamen(framework/structure of wood) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

The word comes directly from the Latin word *materia*, which meant 'material' or 'substance.' Over time, in Spanish, it specialized to mean the most common material derived from nature: wood.

First recorded: 10th century

Cognates (Related words)

Portuguese: madeiraItalian: materia

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I say 'wood' when referring to a forest or woods?

If you mean a forest or a collection of trees, use 'el bosque' or 'la selva'. 'Madera' is only the material itself or the figurative sense of talent.

Is 'madera' always feminine?

Yes, 'madera' is always a feminine noun, requiring 'la' or 'una' before it.