Classroom Spanish Vocabulary
A collection of Spanish words used in the context of a classroom. Perfect for beginners to learn essential classroom terminology.
lección
lesson
The Spanish term 'lección' translates to 'lesson' in English. This can be understood as a structured period of learning, a chunk of educational instruction, or a useful piece of advice based on life experiences. In a formal context, a lesson is part of a course given by a teacher, possibly in a school, college, or university setting. Lessons can be in the form of reading, writing, or practical exercises. In an informal or metaphorical context, a lesson might be a life teaching that comes through a challenging or enlightening experience. In essence, 'lección' or lesson is a unit or measure of learning or teaching.
lector
reader
The Spanish word 'lector' translates to 'reader' in English. It can be used to refer to any person who reads or perceives written words. In more specific contexts, 'lector' may refer to a person who reads out the news in a radio program, or a university lecturer. Its feminine form is 'lectora'. However, like many Spanish words, its specific meaning can vary slightly depending on the regional dialect.
leer
to read
'Leer' corresponds to the act of interpreting written, typographic, or printed symbols for the purpose of communication.
Example sentences with leer →leer la tesis doctoral
read the doctoral thesis
The Spanish phrase 'leer la tesis doctoral' translates to 'read the doctoral thesis' in English. This phrase is composed of 'leer' which means 'read', 'la tesis' which means 'the thesis', and 'doctoral' which translates to 'doctoral'. This phrase is used to indicate the action of reading a thesis written for the purpose of acquiring a doctoral degree. Similar to English, the phrase can be used in various contexts such as academia and formal discussions.
levantar la mano
raise your hand
The phrase 'levantar la mano' is Spanish translates to 'raise your hand' in English. It is typically used in educational settings such as classrooms where a teacher might instruct students to 'levantar la mano' if they have a question or wish to contribute to a discussion. However, it can also be used in any environment where such a gesture is fitting, such as in meetings or group gatherings for taking votes.
levantar las manos
raise your hands
The Spanish phrase 'levantar las manos' directly translates in English to 'raise your hands'. This phrase is a verb phrase commonly used in scenarios where someone is asked or instructed to lift their hands upwards, such as in a classroom setting, during exercise, or when surrendering.
libro
book
'Libro' is a noun in Spanish that means book. This can refer to a set of pages bound together containing text or illustrations.
Example sentences with libro →libro de escolaridad
school book
The Spanish phrase 'libro de escolaridad' translates to 'school book' in English. It is often used in academic or educational contexts to refer to books used for studying in school. The phrase is comprised of two parts: 'libro' meaning 'book' and 'de escolaridad' meaning 'of schooling'. Therefore, when put together, the phrase denotes a book that is associated with schooling or education.
licenciado
licensed
The Spanish word 'licenciado' translates to 'licensed' in English. It refers to a person who has obtained a university degree, similar to Bachelor's degree, or who has received official authorization to do certain work or activity, depending on the context. In some Spanish-speaking countries, it can also mean professional, indicating the completion of studies and possession of a degree that allows you to exercise a profession.
licenciarse
license
The word 'licenciarse' is a Spanish verb which translates to 'to get a degree' in English. It is most commonly used to refer to the process of completing a university or college degree, similarly to how 'graduate' might be used in English. However, it's important to note that 'licenciarse' specifically refers to receiving a 'licenciatura' which is a specific type of degree in Spanish-speaking countries. It does not directly translate to 'license.'
maestro
teacher
A 'maestro' refers to a person who teaches, particularly in a school. The term is gender neutral.
Example sentences with maestro →mal expediente académico
miscellaneous academic record
The term 'mal expediente académico' translates to 'miscellaneous academic record' in English. It can refer to a collection of various academic documents or records that may include grades, transcripts, degrees, certificates and other academic work. This term suggests that these documents or pieces of information may not fit neatly into other, more conventional categories of academic records, hence the use of 'miscellaneous'. It is often used in administration and evaluations within educational institutions.
matemáticas
mathematics
Mathematics is a field of study that involves shapes, quantities, arrangements, and their relationships. It is a fundamental discipline that is essential to many areas, including the natural sciences, engineering, medicine, and the social sciences.
Example sentences with matemáticas →materia anual
annual
'Materia anual' is a Spanish term that is usually used to speak about a school subject that lasts for the entire academic year. Its direct English translation can be 'annual subject'. However, in English, it is more common to refer to it simply as a 'year-long course' or 'annual course'.
materia trimestral
quarterly
The Spanish term 'materia trimestral' translates to 'quarterly subject' in English. It is generally used in academic circumstances, referring to a course or subject that is taught over a three-month, or quarterly, period. This term is typically used in schooling systems that divide the academic year into four quarters.
materia troncal
core matter
The Spanish term 'materia troncal' refers to 'core matter' in English. This term is often used in educational contexts, referring to primary or mandatory subjects that act as the foundation or core of a particular curriculum or course of study. It is the primary knowledge or skills that are fundamental to a particular field or discipline. The phrase can also be used more generally to refer to the main or most important part of anything.
matrícula
tuition
The Spanish word 'matrícula' translates to 'tuition' in English. It is most commonly used in the context of education and seamlessly translates to the fee that students pay at universities, colleges, or schools for instruction. It can occasionally also refer to the act of registering or enrolling in course, equivalent to 'registration', especially in a higher education context.
matricularse
enrollment
Matricularse is a Spanish verb that translates into English as 'to enroll'. It primarily refers to the act of registering or signing up for something, especially within the context of education. For example, a student might 'matricularse' in a course or at a university. Thus, if someone is in the process of 'matricularse', they are enrolling or registering for a course or institution.
Medicina
Medicine
The Spanish word 'Medicina' translates to 'Medicine' in English. It is used in the same context as it is in English, referring to the science and practice of the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease. It can also be used to reference drugs or medication used in the treatment and prevention of illnesses. Additionally, 'Medicina' can refer to a course of study at universities, similar to 'medical school' in English.
mejorar una nota
improve a grade
The Spanish phrase 'mejorar una nota' translates into English as 'improve a grade'. It is often used in academic and education contexts. If a student wants to do better in a class or a specific assignment, they would desire to 'mejorar una nota'. This phrase can be directly linked to the efforts put into studying, attending classes, and completing tasks, all targeting to enhance academic performance.
memoria
memory
In Spanish, 'memoria' is used to refer to the mental capacity to remember things. It can be used in the same contexts as the English word 'memory'. For example, you can use it when talking about short-term or long-term memory ('memoria a corto plazo' or 'memoria a largo plazo'), or to refer to someone's ability to remember things ('tiene buena memoria').
Example sentences with memoria →memorizar
to memorize
Memorizar refers to the process of committing information to memory. It is often used as a study technique when specific information needs to be recalled, like dates, formulas, or vocabularies.
Example sentences with memorizar →memorizar una fórmula
memorize a formula
The Spanish phrase 'memorizar una fórmula' translates to 'memorize a formula' in English. It consists of the verb 'memorizar' which means to commit something to memory or to learn something by heart, and 'una fórmula', which refers to a method, principle, or procedure for achieving something, often in mathematics or science. So, if you're studying for a math or science test, your teacher might advise you to 'memorizar una fórmula'.
memorizar una regla
memorize a rule
The Spanish phrase 'memorizar una regla' translates to 'memorize a rule' in English. It is often used in educational contexts, where students are asked to remember specific rules or procedures. The verb 'memorizar' indicates the action of committing something to memory, while 'una regla' refers to a rule or guideline that should be remembered. This phrase can also be used metaphorically in various social and professional settings, indicating the importance of understanding and adhering to certain rules or principles.
Meteorología
Meteorology
Meteorology is the scientific study of the atmosphere and its phenomena, especially in relation to weather and weather forecasting. It seeks to understand and predict the Earth's atmospheric conditions, including patterns such as climate and weather.
Example sentences with Meteorología →método de aprendizaje
learning method
The term 'método de aprendizaje' is Spanish for 'learning method'. It refers to the particular way in which an individual absorbs, comprehends, and retains information or skills. Learning methods are often categorized into types such as visual, auditory, reading/writing, and kinesthetic (VARK), and they may differ greatly between individuals based on their unique cognitive styles and capabilities.
método enseñanza
method of teaching
The term 'método enseñanza' in Spanish translates to 'method of teaching' in English. It refers to a systematic way, a procedural approach or a series of steps used to facilitate and enhance learning. This might include strategies, techniques, or styles employed by an educator to convey knowledge, guide the learning process, and support learners in mastering new skills or grasping information effectively.
mirar en un diccionario
look in a dictionary
The Spanish phrase 'mirar en un diccionario' translates into English as 'look in a dictionary'. It is a phrase composed of three words. 'Mirar' is an action word, or verb, that means 'to look'. 'En' is a preposition that can carry various meanings such as 'at', 'in', or 'on'. 'Un diccionario' translates to 'a dictionary', with 'un' being a masculine singular article ('a' in English) and 'diccionario' is the noun being referred to which is a book or electronic resource that lists the words of a language and their meanings.
mirar en un libro
Look in a book
The phrase 'mirar en un libro' in Spanish translates to 'look in a book' in English. It is often used when someone wants to refer to the act of searching for or reading information within a book. It can be used in various contexts such as in an academic setting, library, bookstore or any place where books are utilised.
nota alta
high grades
The Spanish phrase 'nota alta' translates to 'high grades' in English. This term typically refers to scores or marks that are above average in an academic context. For example, a student who consistently performs well on exams or assignments might be said to receive 'notas altas' or high grades. This phrase is often used in school or university settings.