vs
QUICK ANSWER
"Major" is a noun which is often translated as "la especialidad", and "main" is an adjective which is often translated as "principal". Learn more about the difference between "major" and "main" below.
major(
mey
-
juhr
)A noun is a word referring to a person, animal, place, thing, feeling, or idea (e.g., man, dog, house).
a. la especialidad (F)
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
We have to declare a major next year.El año que viene tenemos que elegir una especialidad.
b. la carrera (F)
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
What is your major at the university?¿Qué carrera estudias en la universidad?
2. (military)
a. el comandante (M), la comandante (F)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
A major ranks above a captain but below a lieutenant colonel.Un comandante está por encima de un capitán, pero por debajo de un teniente coronel.
b. el mayor (M) (Latin America)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
The order came from a major of the US army.La orden procedía de un mayor del ejército norteamericano.
3. (music)
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Arnold is a Physics major.Arnold estudia física como asignatura principal.
What can a Language major do when they graduate?¿A qué se pueden dedicar las personas que estudian lenguas cuando se gradúan?
An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
a. importante
Corruption is still a major obstacle for the country's development.La corrupción sigue siendo un obstáculo importante para el desarrollo del país.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
a. especializarse
I majored in psychology in college.En la universidad me especialicé en psicología.
main(
meyn
)An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
a. principal
My job is the main reason why I live in this city.Mi trabajo es la razón principal por la que vivo en esta ciudad.
b. fundamental
This summary includes the main ideas of the chapter.Este resumen incluye las ideas fundamentales del capítulo.
A noun is a word referring to a person, animal, place, thing, feeling, or idea (e.g., man, dog, house).
2. (supply)
a. la cañería principal (F) (water)
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
The water main broke and we were out of water for an entire day.La cañería principal se rompió y nos faltó agua un día entero.
b. la tubería principal (F) (water)
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
The street is closed because the mains are going to be repaired.La calle está cortada porque van a reparar las tuberías principales.
c. el cable principal (M) (electricity)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
Someone cut the main of the electrical system.Alguien cortó el cable principal de la red eléctrica.
3. (literary) (ocean)
A word or phrase restricted in usage to literature or established writing (e.g., sex, once upon a time).
a. la mar océana (F) (archaic) (literary)
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
A word or phrase that is no longer used in contemporary language and is recognized as being from another era (e.g., thou).
A word or phrase restricted in usage to literature or established writing (e.g., sex, once upon a time).
The pirates took their ship way out into the main.Los piratas llevaron su barco hasta la mar océana.
4. (nautical)
a. la vela mayor (F)
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
"Unfold the main!" shouted the captain."¡Desplieguen la vela mayor!" gritó el capitán.
