same meaning for different words

Question

why do so many things have 2 or more words in spanish meaning the same thing?example profesora and maestra

Good question! I've always wondered that as well. - 00cdfbd9, Feb 28, 2012

context or circumstance posible ¿? - HowardO, Feb 28, 2012

Answer 1

In Spain, "maestro" and "profesor" aren't exactly synonyms:

If you want to be a "maestro", you have to study "magisterio", and you'll have 3-11 year-old students.

If you want to be a "profesor", you have to study a degree (Matemáticas, Química, Filología, Historia...), and you can be a "profesor de secundaria" (12-17 year-old students) or a "profesor de universidad".

Answer 2

Wow, tough question. I don't know...

I hope you don't mind! - farallon7, Feb 28, 2012

Answer 3

For the same reason teacher and professor are pretty much the same.

• Professor is used for College and Universities "teachers"
• Teacher is used for k-12.
• In essence, both are the same!
• However, in Spanish, we use maestro/a for elementary school. After that, we use Profesor. At least in Colombia!

Profesor/a and professor are not the same. - kenwilliams, Feb 28, 2012

Yes Ken they are the same! The difference is that in the U.S. The word professor is used for scholars who teach in Colleges and Universities. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Professor - farallon7, Feb 28, 2012

Answer 4

They are synonyms. There are the same words in English, for example the synonyms of house are home, plase, household, etc.

You just need to learn in what situation you can used them.

Answer 5

They are synonyms. There are the same words in English, for example the synonyms of house are home, plase, household, etc.

You just need to learn in what situation you can used them.

Answer 6

I dont think they really use maestra instead they use profesora at all levels of education but I think they use maestra in colegio in latin america and profesora in secundaria and universidad

Answer 7

We do the same in English. Teacher, tutor, instructor can all be pretty much interchangeable can't they?

Answer 8

At my school (6-8 grade, 11-14 yr olds), in the US, most of the Latin American (mostly Mexican) students refer to me as "maestro" if we are speaking Spanish. Hope that helps in this context!