Inklingo

How to Say "natural sciences" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “natural sciences” is “ciencias” — use 'ciencias' when referring to scientific fields in a general or academic context, like university studies, encompassing biology, chemistry, physics, etc..

English → Spanish

ciencias

see-EHN-seeahs (or thee-EHN-seeahs)/ˈsjen.sjas/

nounA2general
Use 'ciencias' when referring to scientific fields in a general or academic context, like university studies, encompassing biology, chemistry, physics, etc.
A high-quality storybook illustration showing three distinct scientific symbols: a blue beaker containing liquid, a green DNA double helix structure, and a simplified red electron orbital model, all floating together.

Examples

Mi hermano estudia las ciencias en la universidad.

My brother studies the sciences at the university.

Las ciencias sociales analizan el comportamiento humano.

The social sciences analyze human behavior.

Debemos invertir más en investigación de ciencias básicas.

We must invest more in basic science research.

Always Plural, Always Feminine

Even though 'ciencias' refers to a big field, it is always treated as a plural, feminine noun. This means any words describing it must also be plural and feminine: 'las ciencias nuevas' (the new sciences).

Using the Singular for the Field

Mistake: “La ciencia son importantes.”

Correction: Las ciencias son importantes.

naturales

nah-too-RAH-les/na.tuˈɾa.les/

nounB1academic, informal
Use 'naturales' as a shortened, informal term for 'natural sciences' when referring to a specific school subject or academic exam.
A wooden desk setup showing a large magnifying glass hovering over a detailed green leaf, next to a simple clear glass beaker and a smooth river stone.

Examples

Mañana tenemos examen de naturales a primera hora.

Tomorrow we have a natural sciences exam first thing.

Mi hermana es muy buena en naturales.

My sister is very good at natural sciences.

Implied Feminine

Even though 'naturales' itself ends in '-es', this noun usage is actually short for 'las ciencias naturales' (the natural sciences). Therefore, if you use an article, it should be feminine, like 'la clase de naturales'.

Using the wrong article

Mistake: “El naturales es difícil.”

Correction: Las naturales (or La clase de naturales) es difícil. Remember the core noun 'ciencias' is feminine.

General vs. Specific Use

Learners often mistakenly use the broad term 'ciencias' when they mean the specific school subject 'naturales'. Remember that 'naturales' is a common shorthand for the academic subject, while 'ciencias' is a more general term for science disciplines.

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