teoría
“teoría” means “theory” in Spanish (A set of ideas intended to explain something, often scientific or academic.).
theory
Also: hypothesis, conjecture
📝 In Action
La nueva teoría del profesor explica los agujeros negros.
B1The professor's new theory explains black holes.
En teoría, este plan debería funcionar, pero hay que probarlo.
B2In theory, this plan should work, but we have to test it.
Estudiamos la teoría musical antes de tocar el instrumento.
B1We study music theory before playing the instrument.
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: teoría
Question 1 of 1
Which of the following is the best translation for 'Solo es una teoría mía'?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
Comes from the Latin word *theoria*, which itself was borrowed from the ancient Greek *theōría*, meaning 'contemplation, speculation, or looking at something'. The core meaning has always been about observing and thinking deeply about a subject.
First recorded: 13th century (in Spanish)
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
How is 'teoría' different from 'prueba' (proof)?
'Teoría' is the explanation or model, while 'prueba' is the solid evidence or confirmation that the explanation is correct. A theory must be proven to become a fact or law.