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"El curso" is a form of "curso", a noun which is often translated as "year". "La materia" is a form of "materia", a noun which is often translated as "matter". Learn more about the difference between "el curso" and "la materia" below.
el curso(
koor
-
soh
)A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
a. year
Estoy en mi cuarto curso en la facultad de medicina.I'm in my fourth year of medical school.
c. academic year
El nuevo horario de clases entrará en vigor este curso.The new class schedule will take effect this academic year.
2. (class)
a. course
Este trimestre estoy tomando un curso de inglés y uno de francés.This semester I'm taking an English course and a French course.
3. (direction)
a. course
Las pruebas cambiaron el curso de la investigación.The new evidence changed the course of the investigation.
a. course
El curso del río desaparece bajo la montaña.The course of the river disappears under the mountain.
la materia(
mah
-
teh
-
ryah
)A feminine noun is almost always used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., la mujer bonita, la luna llena).
1. (substance)
2. (education)
a. subject
¿Qué materias vas a estudiar en el bachillerato?What subjects are you going to study in high school?
