materia
/mah-TEH-reeah/
subject
In a school context, materia means 'subject' or 'course of study.'
materia(Noun)
subject
?school/university course
,course
?academic class
discipline
?field of study
📝 In Action
Mi materia favorita en el colegio era biología.
A2My favorite subject in school was biology.
Tienes que aprobar cinco materias para graduarte.
B1You have to pass five courses to graduate.
💡 Grammar Points
Always Feminine
'Materia' is a feminine word, so you must always use feminine articles and adjectives with it (e.g., 'la materia', 'materia difícil').
⭐ Usage Tips
School vs. Class
While 'clase' means 'class,' 'materia' is better for referring to the specific field of study (like Math or History).
When referring to physical substance, materia translates to 'matter.'
📝 In Action
La física estudia las propiedades de la energía y la materia.
B1Physics studies the properties of energy and matter.
El agua puede cambiar de estado, pero sigue siendo la misma materia.
B1Water can change state, but it remains the same substance.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Mixing up 'materia' and 'material'
Mistake: "Usar 'la materia' para referirse a la tela o el tipo de cosa."
Correction: Use 'el material' (the specific stuff used, like plastic or wood) instead of 'la materia' (the general concept of matter or substance) when talking about physical construction.
Materia can also mean 'topic' or 'area of discussion.'
materia(Noun)
topic
?area of concern or discussion
,issue
?subject of policy or law
raw material
?materia prima (fixed phrase)
📝 In Action
El presidente es la máxima autoridad en materia de seguridad nacional.
B2The president is the highest authority on the topic of national security.
El cobre es una materia prima esencial para la industria electrónica.
B2Copper is an essential raw material for the electronics industry.
💡 Grammar Points
Fixed Phrase Usage
This meaning is often found in the fixed phrase 'en materia de...' (in the area of...), which introduces the topic being discussed in a formal setting.
⭐ Usage Tips
Formal Context
Use 'materia' instead of 'tema' or 'asunto' when writing reports, legal documents, or discussing policy, as it sounds more official.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: materia
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence correctly uses 'materia' in the sense of a school course?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'materia' and 'material'?
'Materia' is generally used for the concept of 'matter' (the stuff everything is made of) or an 'academic subject.' 'Material' (often plural, 'los materiales') refers to the specific physical things or resources needed for a task, like construction supplies or writing tools.
How do I say 'raw material'?
Use the fixed phrase 'materia prima.' It is always used in that specific order.