Inklingo

How to Say "lecture" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “lecture” is “presentación” — use this for a planned talk or demonstration, often in an educational or professional setting, where you are presenting information.

presentaciónA1

Use this for a planned talk or demonstration, often in an educational or professional setting, where you are presenting information.

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lecciónA1

This refers to a specific unit of instruction, often the first one in a course, meant to teach a particular topic or skill.

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conferencia🔊A2

Choose this for a formal speech or talk given to an audience, typically on a specific subject.

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charla🔊B1

Use this for a casual, often shorter, talk or presentation, usually less formal than a conferencia.

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exposiciónB1

This term is used for an academic talk or presentation where you explain or showcase a particular topic.

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discurso🔊B1

This refers to a formal speech, often delivered by a person in authority, on a topic of public interest.

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sermónB1

Use this when someone gives you a long, tedious scolding or reprimand, often for something you did wrong.

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cátedraB2

This specifically denotes a high-level academic talk, often associated with a professorial position or a significant academic event.

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mitin🔊B2

This term refers to a lengthy, often boring or tedious speech, or a strong reprimand, similar to a 'sermón'.

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English → Spanish

presentación

nounA1educational talk
Use this for a planned talk or demonstration, often in an educational or professional setting, where you are presenting information.

Examples

Tengo que preparar una presentación para la clase de historia mañana.

I have to prepare a presentation for history class tomorrow.

lección

nounA1formal instructional talk
This refers to a specific unit of instruction, often the first one in a course, meant to teach a particular topic or skill.

Examples

La primera lección de español es muy fácil.

The first Spanish lesson is very easy.

conferencia

kon-feh-REN-syahkoɱ.feˈɾen.sja

nounA2a formal talk given to an audience
Choose this for a formal speech or talk given to an audience, typically on a specific subject.
A speaker standing at a podium addressing an audience seated in a large room.

Examples

Asistimos a una conferencia muy interesante sobre el cambio climático.

We attended a very interesting lecture about climate change.

El famoso escritor dará una conferencia en la universidad la próxima semana.

The famous writer will give a talk at the university next week.

Gender Reminder

Even though it ends in '-a', remember 'conferencia' is always feminine, so you must use 'la' or 'una' before it.

Using 'conferencia' for casual chat

Mistake: “Usé 'conferencia' para describir una conversación rápida con mi amigo.”

Correction: Use 'conversación' or 'charla' for a casual chat. 'Conferencia' implies a formal, structured event.

charla

CHAR-lahˈtʃaɾla

nounB1short, introductory presentation
Use this for a casual, often shorter, talk or presentation, usually less formal than a conferencia.
A storybook illustration of a woman giving a casual presentation or short lecture to a small, attentive audience of three people.

Examples

El experto dio una charla sobre el uso seguro de internet.

The expert gave a talk about safe internet use.

Asistimos a una charla muy interesante en el museo.

We attended a very interesting lecture at the museum.

Using 'Dar' for Talks

When someone is the speaker, we use the verb 'dar' (to give) with 'charla', similar to how we say 'to give a presentation' in English: 'El jefe dio una charla' (The boss gave a talk).

exposición

nounB1academic talk
This term is used for an academic talk or presentation where you explain or showcase a particular topic.

Examples

Mi exposición sobre el cambio climático dura 15 minutos.

My presentation about climate change lasts 15 minutes.

discurso

dees-KOOR-sodisˈkuɾso

nounB1educational setting
This refers to a formal speech, often delivered by a person in authority, on a topic of public interest.
A well-dressed person stands behind a simple wooden podium with a microphone, gesturing with one hand while delivering a formal speech to an unseen audience.

Examples

El presidente dio un discurso sobre la economía del país.

The president gave a speech about the country's economy.

Fue un discurso muy emotivo que hizo llorar a varias personas.

It was a very emotional speech that made several people cry.

Tengo que preparar un discurso para la boda de mi hermana.

I have to prepare a speech for my sister's wedding.

sermón

nounB1a long scolding
Use this when someone gives you a long, tedious scolding or reprimand, often for something you did wrong.

Examples

Mi padre me echó un sermón por llegar tarde a casa.

My father gave me a lecture for arriving home late.

cátedra

nounB2specifically a high-level academic talk
This specifically denotes a high-level academic talk, often associated with a professorial position or a significant academic event.

Examples

Ella obtuvo la cátedra de Biología en la Universidad de Madrid.

She obtained the Biology chair at the University of Madrid.

mitin

mee-teenˈmitin

nounB2a long, boring speech or scolding
This term refers to a lengthy, often boring or tedious speech, or a strong reprimand, similar to a 'sermón'.
An adult wagging a finger at a bored-looking child sitting on a chair with their head resting on their hand.

Examples

Mi madre me soltó un mitin por no limpiar mi habitación.

My mother gave me a lecture for not cleaning my room.

No me vengas con otro mitin sobre la comida saludable.

Don't give me another long speech about healthy food.

El jefe nos dio el mitin de siempre sobre la puntualidad.

The boss gave us the usual earful about being on time.

Action Verbs

In this informal sense, we almost always use the verb 'soltar' (to let loose) or 'dar' (to give) with 'mitin'.

Singular Focus

Even if the lecture covers many topics, we usually refer to it as 'un mitin' (singular) to emphasize that it was one long, continuous speech.

Context is Key

Mistake: “The teacher gave a mitin about math.”

Correction: The teacher gave a 'clase' or 'lección'.

Distinguishing between formal talks and scoldings

The most common mistake is using terms for formal talks like 'conferencia' or 'presentación' when someone is actually giving you a scolding. Always consider if the 'lecture' is meant to inform or to reprimand; 'sermón' and 'mitin' are specifically for reprimands.

Related Translations

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