Inklingo
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materiales

/mah-teh-RYAH-lehs/

materials

A collection of colorful building materials, including wooden blocks, rolls of fabric, and tubes of paint, neatly arranged.

As a noun, materiales refers to general supplies or substances, like these items used for building or art.

materiales(noun)

mA1

materials

?

general supplies or substances

,

supplies

?

school, office, or art supplies

Also:

resources

?

when referring to study or teaching resources

,

equipment

?

tools or gear needed for a specific task

📝 In Action

Olvidé mis materiales escolares en casa.

A1

I forgot my school supplies at home.

Necesitamos comprar los materiales de construcción para empezar la obra.

A2

We need to buy the construction materials to start the work.

Los materiales didácticos están disponibles en línea.

B1

The teaching resources are available online.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • materiales reciclables – recyclable materials
  • materiales de oficina – office supplies
  • materiales de lectura – reading materials

💡 Grammar Points

Always Plural for Supplies

When referring to 'supplies' or 'gear' in general, Spanish almost always uses the plural form 'materiales,' even if in English you might say 'material' (singular).

❌ Common Pitfalls

Mixing up 'Material' and 'Tela'

Mistake: "Using 'material' to mean 'fabric' or 'cloth.'"

Correction: Use 'tela' (fabric) or 'tejido' (textile) when talking about clothing or sewing. Use 'materiales' for general supplies or substances.

⭐ Usage Tips

Using the Singular

The singular form, 'material,' is used when talking about the substance itself, like 'The table is made of good material' (La mesa es de buen material).

A large, smooth, gray river stone placed prominently on a flat surface, emphasizing its solidity and tangibility.

As an adjective, materiales (material) describes something that is physical or tangible, like a solid stone.

materiales(adjective)

m/fB1

material

?

physical or tangible

Also:

worldly

?

related to physical wealth or possessions

📝 In Action

Las necesidades materiales de la gente son importantes.

B1

The material (physical) needs of the people are important.

No se enfocan solo en las posesiones materiales; valoran lo espiritual.

B2

They don't focus only on material possessions; they value the spiritual.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • físicos (physical)
  • tangibles (tangible)

Antonyms

  • espirituales (spiritual)
  • inmateriales (immaterial)

Common Collocations

  • bienes materiales – material goods/possessions
  • pruebas materiales – physical evidence

💡 Grammar Points

Agreement Rule

As an adjective, 'materiales' must agree in number (plural) and gender (masculine or feminine) with the noun it describes. E.g., 'cosas materiales' (feminine plural) or 'bienes materiales' (masculine plural).

⭐ Usage Tips

Contrast with 'Espiritual'

This adjective is often used to create a contrast, emphasizing that something belongs to the physical world, not the world of ideas or spirituality.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: materiales

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence uses 'materiales' as an adjective (describing a quality)?

📚 More Resources

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.