How to Say "earthly" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “earthly” is “material” — use 'material' when contrasting the physical or worldly with the spiritual or non-physical, focusing on possessions and tangible aspects of life.
Use 'material' when contrasting the physical or worldly with the spiritual or non-physical, focusing on possessions and tangible aspects of life.
Learn more →
Choose 'terreno' when referring to worldly existence as opposed to spiritual matters, often with a philosophical or slightly poetic connotation.
Learn more →
Use 'terrestre' when referring to things belonging to the planet Earth, often in a geographical or scientific context, rather than in opposition to the spiritual.
Learn more →mah-teh-ree-AHLma.teˈɾjal
Examples
La vida material no es lo más importante.
Material life (physical things) is not the most important thing.
Ella tiene muchas necesidades materiales que cubrir.
She has many material (physical/financial) needs to cover.
El daño material a la propiedad fue mínimo.
The material damage (physical damage) to the property was minimal.
Adjective Agreement
As an adjective, 'material' always stays the same regardless of whether the noun is masculine or feminine (e.g., 'daño material,' 'vida material'). You only need to make it plural ('materiales') if the noun is plural.
Confusing 'Material' and 'Important'
Mistake: “Este error es muy material.”
Correction: While 'material' can sometimes mean 'significant' in legal or formal contexts, it usually means 'physical' or 'tangible.' For general importance, use words like 'importante' or 'crucial'.
teh-RREH-nohteˈreno
Examples
La vida terreno es breve, dicen los filósofos.
Earthly life is brief, say the philosophers.
Los vehículos todo terreno están diseñados para caminos difíciles.
All-terrain vehicles are designed for difficult roads.
Adjective Agreement
As an adjective, 'terreno' must match the noun it describes in number and gender (e.g., 'vida terreno' (f), 'vehículos terrenos' (m, plural)).
te-RRES-treteˈrestre
Examples
El globo terrestre es una representación de nuestro planeta.
The Earth's globe is a representation of our planet.
Buscamos señales de vida no terrestre.
We are looking for signs of non-Earth (extraterrestrial) life.
Adjective Placement
Like most descriptive adjectives in Spanish, 'terrestre' almost always comes AFTER the noun it describes.
Material vs. Terreno vs. Terrestre
Learners often confuse 'material' and 'terreno' because both can oppose the spiritual. Remember that 'material' focuses on possessions and tangibility, while 'terreno' refers more broadly to worldly existence. 'Terrestre' is usually about the planet itself.
Related Translations
Learn Spanish with Inklingo
Interactive stories, personalized learning, and more.