matrícula

/mah-TREE-koo-lah/

enrollment

A joyful student character holding a rolled-up certificate or diploma next to a wooden school desk, symbolizing successful registration.

Matrícula as "enrollment": A student successfully signing up for a course.

matrícula(noun)

fA2

enrollment

the process of signing up for a course

registration

the act of officially signing up

Also:

admission

getting accepted into a school

📝 In Action

La matrícula para el nuevo semestre se cierra la próxima semana.

Enrollment for the new semester closes next week.

Tienes que completar el formulario de matrícula en línea.

You have to complete the registration form online.

Word Connections

Synonyms

inscripción (registration)
alta (sign-up)

Common Collocations

periodo de matrícula – enrollment period
abrir la matrícula – to open registration

💡 Grammar Points

Always Feminine

Remember to always use the feminine article 'la' or 'una' with this word: 'la matrícula'.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Using 'el' instead of 'la'

Mistake: "El matrícula"

Correction: La matrícula. This noun is always feminine, even though it ends in '-a'.

⭐ Usage Tips

Context is Key

When talking about school or university, 'matrícula' is the standard, formal term for signing up.

A tall stack of colorful paper money resting beside a closed red textbook and a pencil, symbolizing a fee paid for education.

Matrícula as "tuition fee": The cost associated with signing up for a course.

matrícula(noun)

fB1

tuition fee

the money paid for a course or school

registration fee

the initial payment to sign up

Also:

school fees

general term for educational costs

📝 In Action

La matrícula anual de este máster es muy alta.

The annual tuition fee for this master's degree is very high.

¿Incluye el costo de los libros la matrícula?

Does the registration fee include the cost of the books?

Word Connections

Synonyms

cuota (fee/quota)
costo (cost)

Common Collocations

pagar la matrícula – to pay the tuition

⭐ Usage Tips

Financial Context

In financial discussions, 'matrícula' refers to the price you pay, not just the action of signing up.

A close-up view of a generic, colorful rectangular metal license plate attached to a car bumper.

Matrícula as "license plate": The official identifying plate on a vehicle.

matrícula(noun)

fB1

license plate

the official plate on a vehicle

number plate

UK English term for license plate

Also:

car registration number

the sequence of letters and numbers

📝 In Action

Apunté la matrícula del coche que se dio a la fuga.

I wrote down the license plate of the car that drove away.

Mi moto tiene una matrícula nueva.

My motorcycle has a new license plate.

Word Connections

Synonyms

placa (plate (used in many Latin American countries))
patente (license/plate (used in Argentina/Chile))

Common Collocations

número de matrícula – license plate number

❌ Common Pitfalls

Regional Differences

Mistake: "Using 'matrícula' for 'license plate' everywhere."

Correction: While understood everywhere, in many parts of Latin America, people will use 'placa' instead of 'matrícula' for a car plate.

⭐ Usage Tips

Context Clues

If you hear 'matrícula' near words like 'coche' (car) or 'tráfico' (traffic), it almost certainly means 'license plate'.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: matrícula

Question 1 of 1

Which meaning of 'matrícula' is correct in the sentence: 'Tengo que pagar la matrícula antes de empezar las clases.'

📚 More Resources

Word Family

matricular(to register/enroll (verb)) - verb

matriculado(registered/enrolled (adjective)) - adjective

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'matrícula' the same as 'inscripción'?

They are very similar! Both mean 'registration' or 'enrollment.' 'Matrícula' is often used specifically for the formal, official process or the fee paid at an educational institution, while 'inscripción' can be used more broadly for signing up for anything (a club, a race, a list, etc.).

How do I know if 'matrícula' means 'tuition' or 'license plate'?

Look at the surrounding words. If you see 'universidad,' 'clases,' or 'pagar' (pay), it means tuition/enrollment. If you see 'coche' (car), 'policía,' or 'tráfico' (traffic), it means license plate.