materiales
“materiales” means “materials” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
materials, supplies
Also: resources, equipment
📝 In Action
Olvidé mis materiales escolares en casa.
A1I forgot my school supplies at home.
Necesitamos comprar los materiales de construcción para empezar la obra.
A2We need to buy the construction materials to start the work.
Los materiales didácticos están disponibles en línea.
B1The teaching resources are available online.
material
Also: worldly
📝 In Action
Las necesidades materiales de la gente son importantes.
B1The material (physical) needs of the people are important.
No se enfocan solo en las posesiones materiales; valoran lo espiritual.
B2They don't focus only on material possessions; they value the spiritual.
Translate to Spanish
Words that translate to "materiales" in Spanish:
equipment→material→materials→resources→supplies→worldly→✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: materiales
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'materiales' as an adjective (describing a quality)?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼
Comes from the Latin word *materiālis*, meaning 'relating to matter' or 'made of wood/substance.' It entered Spanish to describe anything physical or the things needed to build something.
First recorded: 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'materiales' always masculine?
Yes, when used as a noun meaning 'supplies' or 'resources,' it is always masculine plural (los materiales). When used as an adjective (meaning 'physical'), it can be masculine or feminine depending on the noun it describes (e.g., 'necesidades materiales' is feminine).
How do I say 'raw material' in Spanish?
You use the singular form for the substance: 'materia prima.' 'Materiales' refers to processed or general supplies.

