Inklingo

How to Say "fabric" in Spanish

English → Spanish

tela

TAY-lah/ˈtela/

nounA2general
Use 'tela' when referring to the textile material itself, especially for clothing, upholstery, or crafts.
A smooth piece of richly textured red fabric draped over a wooden spool.

Examples

Esta chaqueta está hecha de una tela muy suave.

This jacket is made of a very soft fabric.

Necesito un metro de tela roja para el proyecto.

I need one meter of red cloth for the project.

El sofá está tapizado con una tela resistente.

The sofa is upholstered with a resistant material.

Gender Check

Remember that 'tela' is always feminine, so you must use 'la' or 'una' before it, and any describing words (adjectives) must also end in '-a' (e.g., 'la tela suave').

tejido

/te-JI-do//teˈxiðo/

nounA2general
Use 'tejido' for material specifically intended for clothing or crafts, emphasizing its woven or knitted nature.
A large piece of bright red, soft cotton cloth is folded neatly, resting on a light wooden surface, illustrating fabric.

Examples

Necesito comprar un tejido de algodón para hacer las cortinas.

I need to buy a cotton fabric to make the curtains.

Este tipo de tejido es muy resistente al agua.

This type of cloth is very water-resistant.

Gender Check

Even though 'tela' (fabric) is feminine, 'tejido' is masculine. Remember to use 'el' or 'un': 'el tejido'.

material

mah-teh-ree-AHL/ma.teˈɾjal/

nounA1general
Use 'material' when referring to fabric as a raw substance or supply, often in a broader sense than just textiles.
A colorful storybook illustration showing three distinct raw materials stacked neatly: a wooden plank, a coiled metal wire, and a swatch of blue fabric.

Examples

Necesito comprar material escolar para el niño.

I need to buy school supplies for the child.

Este material es muy resistente al agua.

This material is very water resistant.

El carpintero tiene todo el material listo para empezar la obra.

The carpenter has all the equipment ready to start the work.

Gender Check

Even though it ends in -al, 'material' is a masculine noun. Always use 'el material' or 'un material'.

Using 'Materiales' for Everything

Mistake: “¿Tienes el material para el proyecto?”

Correction: When talking about general 'supplies' or 'stuff,' use the singular 'el material.' Use the plural 'los materiales' only if you mean distinct types of materials (e.g., 'madera y metal son materiales').

Distinguishing 'tela' and 'tejido'

Learners often confuse 'tela' and 'tejido'. While both refer to fabric, 'tela' is more general for textile material, whereas 'tejido' emphasizes the woven or knitted structure, especially for clothing or crafts. Think of 'tela' as the broader category and 'tejido' as a specific type within it.

Related Translations

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