naturaleza
/nah-too-rah-LEH-sah/
nature (the environment)
The word naturaleza refers to the physical world, including plants, animals, and landscapes.
naturaleza(noun)
nature (the environment)
?the physical world, including plants, animals, and landscapes
wilderness
?untamed, undeveloped areas
,the countryside
?non-urban landscape
📝 In Action
Me encanta caminar por la naturaleza para relajarme.
A1I love walking through nature to relax.
Debemos proteger la naturaleza de la contaminación.
A2We must protect nature from pollution.
El documental era sobre la belleza de la naturaleza amazónica.
B1The documentary was about the beauty of Amazonian nature.
💡 Grammar Points
Always Use 'La'
Since 'naturaleza' is an abstract noun used in a general sense, you almost always need to use the feminine article 'la' before it, even when English doesn't use 'the'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Missing the Article
Mistake: "Me gusta naturaleza."
Correction: Me gusta la naturaleza. (When talking about nature in general, Spanish requires 'la'.)
⭐ Usage Tips
Nature as a Place
To talk about going into nature, use 'en la naturaleza' or 'por la naturaleza' (through nature).
Naturaleza can also refer to the fundamental quality or character (essence) of something.
naturaleza(noun)
nature (character/essence)
?the fundamental quality or character of something
disposition
?a person's inherent qualities of mind and character
,kind/sort
?class or category of something
📝 In Action
La naturaleza humana es complicada.
B1Human nature is complicated.
Por naturaleza, él es muy tímido.
B2By nature, he is very shy.
Entender la naturaleza del problema nos ayudó a resolverlo.
C1Understanding the nature of the problem helped us solve it.
💡 Grammar Points
Idiomatic Preposition 'Por'
To express that someone has a quality from birth or inherently, use the preposition 'por': 'Por naturaleza, soy optimista' (By nature, I am an optimist).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Mixing Prepositions
Mistake: "Con naturaleza, ella es tranquila."
Correction: Por naturaleza, ella es tranquila. ('Por' is the fixed preposition when referring to inherent character.)
⭐ Usage Tips
Formal Contexts
This meaning is often used in philosophical discussions, official reports, or formal explanations of why something functions the way it does.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: naturaleza
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'naturaleza' to mean 'inherent character' rather than 'the environment'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'naturaleza' always feminine?
Yes, 'naturaleza' is a feminine noun, which is why it always pairs with the article 'la' and feminine adjectives. Most nouns ending in '-eza' are feminine in Spanish.
When should I use 'por naturaleza'?
Use 'por naturaleza' when you want to say that a person or thing has a quality inherently or instinctively. Think of it as meaning 'by default' or 'by character.' (e.g., 'El gato es cazador por naturaleza.')