Inklingo

How to Say "worldly" in Spanish

English → Spanish

materiales

/mah-teh-RYAH-lehs//ma.teˈɾja.les/

adjectiveB1
Use 'materiales' when 'worldly' refers to concerns about physical wealth, possessions, or financial matters.
A large, smooth, gray river stone placed prominently on a flat surface, emphasizing its solidity and tangibility.

Examples

Él no se preocupa por las cosas materiales.

He doesn't worry about material things.

Las necesidades materiales de la gente son importantes.

The material (physical) needs of the people are important.

No se enfocan solo en las posesiones materiales; valoran lo espiritual.

They don't focus only on material possessions; they value the spiritual.

Agreement Rule

As an adjective, 'materiales' must agree in number (plural) and gender (masculine or feminine) with the noun it describes. E.g., 'cosas materiales' (feminine plural) or 'bienes materiales' (masculine plural).

vivido

vee-VEE-doh/biˈβi.ðo/

adjectiveB1
Use 'vivido' when 'worldly' describes someone who has a lot of experience of life, often implying wisdom or a broad understanding gained from diverse experiences.
A close-up illustration of a kind, elderly person with a serene expression, holding a sturdy wooden walking stick. They look wise and calm.

Examples

A pesar de su edad, es un hombre muy vivido y sabe cómo manejar situaciones difíciles.

Despite his age, he is a very worldly man and knows how to handle difficult situations.

Mi abuela es una mujer muy vivida y tiene consejos para todo.

My grandmother is a very worldly woman and has advice for everything.

Se nota que ha sido un viaje vivido, ¡mira esas fotos!

You can tell it was an intense trip; look at those photos!

Changing Forms

Like most Spanish adjectives, 'vivido' must match the person or thing it describes in gender and number: 'un hombre vivido' (experienced man) but 'unas personas vividas' (experienced people).

Material vs. Life Experience

The most common mistake is using 'materiales' when you mean someone is experienced in life. Remember, 'materiales' relates to possessions and wealth, while 'vivido' refers to a person's extensive life experience and knowledge.

Related Translations

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