matemáticas
mah-teh-MAH-tee-kas
📝 In Action
Las matemáticas son mi asignatura favorita.
A1Mathematics is my favorite subject.
Necesitas estudiar más para aprobar el examen de matemáticas.
A2You need to study more to pass the math exam.
La física y las matemáticas están íntimamente relacionadas.
B1Physics and mathematics are intimately related.
💡 Grammar Points
Always Plural
Even though it refers to one subject (math), this word is always used in the plural form in Spanish. You must use 'las' and plural verbs, like 'Las matemáticas son difíciles' (Mathematics is difficult).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using the Singular
Mistake: "La matemática es difícil."
Correction: Las matemáticas son difíciles. The word is always plural, so use 'las' and the plural verb form ('son').
⭐ Usage Tips
The Short Form
While you will hear 'mates' (pronounced MAH-tehs) often in informal Spanish, especially in Spain, stick to 'matemáticas' in formal settings or when writing.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: matemáticas
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence correctly uses the word 'matemáticas'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is 'matemáticas' plural in Spanish when English uses 'mathematics' (singular)?
Many academic subjects in Spanish that end in '-ics' in English (like 'physics' or 'economics') are treated as plural nouns, even though they refer to a single field of study. This is just a difference in how Spanish treats these types of words.