materia
“materia” means “subject” in Spanish. It has 3 different meanings depending on context:
subject, course
Also: discipline
📝 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.
matter, substance
📝 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.
topic, issue
Also: raw material
📝 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.
Translate to Spanish
Words that translate to "materia" in Spanish:
course→discipline→issue→matter→raw material→subject→substance→topic→✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: materia
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence correctly uses 'materia' in the sense of a school course?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
The word comes directly from the Latin word 'māteria,' which originally meant 'wood' or 'timber' but later expanded to mean 'substance,' 'material,' and eventually 'subject matter.'
First recorded: 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
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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.