Inklingo

How to Say "materials" in Spanish

English → Spanish

materiales

/mah-teh-RYAH-lehs//ma.teˈɾja.les/

nounA1general
Use 'materiales' when referring to physical substances, supplies, or equipment needed for a task or activity, such as school supplies, construction materials, or laboratory equipment.
A collection of colorful building materials, including wooden blocks, rolls of fabric, and tubes of paint, neatly arranged.

Examples

Necesitamos comprar materiales para la construcción de la casa.

We need to buy materials for the construction of the house.

Olvidé mis materiales escolares en casa.

I forgot my school supplies at home.

Necesitamos comprar los materiales de construcción para empezar la obra.

We need to buy the construction materials to start the work.

Los materiales didácticos están disponibles en línea.

The teaching resources are available online.

Always Plural for Supplies

When referring to 'supplies' or 'gear' in general, Spanish almost always uses the plural form 'materiales,' even if in English you might say 'material' (singular).

Mixing up 'Material' and 'Tela'

Mistake: “Using 'material' to mean 'fabric' or 'cloth.'”

Correction: Use 'tela' (fabric) or 'tejido' (textile) when talking about clothing or sewing. Use 'materiales' for general supplies or substances.

literatura

lee-teh-rah-TOO-rah/liteɾaˈtuɾa/

nounC1academic, scientific
Use 'literatura' when referring to academic or scientific texts, research papers, books, or articles relevant to a specific field of study or topic.
A precise, neat stack of three thick, white, official-looking binders, suggesting technical manuals or documentation, with a simple dark pen resting on the top.

Examples

El profesor nos pidió leer la literatura relevante sobre el tema.

The professor asked us to read the relevant literature on the topic.

Necesitamos revisar la literatura científica antes de comenzar el experimento.

We need to review the scientific literature before starting the experiment.

La empresa distribuyó nueva literatura sobre sus políticas de seguridad.

The company distributed new literature (documentation) about its safety policies.

Materials vs. Literature

Learners often mistakenly use 'literatura' when they mean physical supplies. Remember that 'literatura' refers specifically to written texts or academic works, while 'materiales' covers tangible items and substances.

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