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"Matter" is a noun which is often translated as "el asunto", and "thing" is a noun which is often translated as "la cosa". Learn more about the difference between "matter" and "thing" below.
matter(
mah
-
duhr
)A noun is a word referring to a person, animal, place, thing, feeling, or idea (e.g., man, dog, house).
1. (issue)
b. la cuestión (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).
Taking care of the environment is a matter of responsibility.Cuidar el medio ambiente es una cuestión de responsabilidad.
2. (mass)
a. la materia (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).
That sticky matter on the table needs to be cleaned up.Hay que limpiar esa materia pegajosa que hay en la mesa.
b. la sustancia (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).
The filter eliminates any solid matter in the water.El filtro elimina cualquier sustancia sólida en el agua.
3. (physics)
a. la materia (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).
Traditionally, matter was thought to be composed of atoms.Tradicionalmente, se entendía que la materia estaba compuesta de átomos.
4. (medicine)
a. la materia (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).
Take proper precautions when cleaning a patient's fecal matter.Tome las debidas precauciones al limpiar la materia fecal de un paciente.
b. el pus (M) (on a wound)
(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).
I think it's infected. There is a green matter oozing from the bandage.Creo que está infectado. Hay pus verde rezumando por la venda.
5. (difficulty)
a. el problema (M)
(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).
What's the matter with the baby? Why is she crying?¿Cuál es el problema con la bebé? ¿Por qué llora?
6. (publishing)
a. el material (M)
(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).
She took plenty of reading matter before setting sail across the ocean.Llevó bastante material de lectura antes de zarpar a través del océano.
a. el contenido (M)
(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).
I find the matter of Dr. Robinson's research to be quite fascinating.El contenido de las investigaciones del Dr. Robinson me parece del todo fascinante.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
matters
A plural noun indicates that there is more than one person, place, thing, or idea.
9. (situation)
a. las cosas (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).
Matters have been getting worse as inflation continues to rise.Las cosas han empeorado a medida que la inflación ha ido aumentando.
thing(
thihng
)A noun is a word referring to a person, animal, place, thing, feeling, or idea (e.g., man, dog, house).
b. el aparato (M)
(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).
Do you know how to use this thing?¿Sabes cómo utilizar este aparato?
c. la vaina (F) (Andes) (Caribbean) (Central America)
(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).
Regionalism used in the Caribbean: Cuba, the Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico
Regionalism used in Central America: Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama
Pass me that thing from over there.Pásame esa vaina de allí.
3. (activity)
4. (matter)
c. la vaina (F) (Andes) (Caribbean) (Central America)
(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).
Regionalism used in the Caribbean: Cuba, the Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico
Regionalism used in Central America: Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama
Did you hear that thing on the radio about the elections?¿Escuchaste esa vaina en la radio acerca de las elecciones?
5. (event)
6. (thought)
b. la vaina (F) (Andes) (Caribbean) (Central America)
(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).
Regionalism used in the Caribbean: Cuba, the Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico
Regionalism used in Central America: Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama
Forget about those things!¡Olvida esas vainas!
7. (comment)
b. la vaina (F) (Andes) (Caribbean) (Central America)
(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).
Regionalism used in the Caribbean: Cuba, the Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico
Regionalism used in Central America: Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama
That thing he said about me isn't true.Esa vaina que contó de mí no es verdad.
8. (act)
b. la vaina (F) (Andes) (Caribbean) (Central America)
(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).
Regionalism used in the Caribbean: Cuba, the Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico
Regionalism used in Central America: Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama
I'm a bit worried about this thing.Me preocupa un poco esta vaina.
a. el tipo (M), la tipa (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).
The poor thing can't find his car keys.El pobre tipo no puede encontrar las llaves de su coche.
b. el crío (M), la cría (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).
Poor things, always loaded with homework!¡Pobres críos, siempre cargados de deberes!
c. la criatura (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 that thing coming out of the forest?¿Qué es esa criatura que sale del bosque?
10. (in negations)
11. (colloquial) (preferred activity or hobby)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
I invited Paul to go dancing, but he said it's not his thing.Invité a Paul a salir a bailar, pero dijo que no es lo suyo.
My thing is going to the movies.Lo mío es ir al cine.
12. (obsession)
a. la obsesión (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).
My grandmother has a thing about teacups; she has like 500.Mi abuela tiene una obsesión por las tazas de té; tiene alrededor de 500.
13. (phobia)
a. la moda (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).
Why is everybody eating kale salads? - Dad, it's the thing right now.¿Por qué todo mundo come ensaladas hechas con col rizada ahora? - Papá, es la moda hoy en día.
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Do you have anything for a migraine? - I've got just the thing!¿Tienes algo para la migraña? - Tengo justo lo que necesitas.
The thing is to make a good first impression.Lo importante es dar una buena primera impresión.
16. (colloquial) (romantic affair)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
a. la relación (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).
I can't believe John and Anita had a thing in high school.No puedo creer que John y Anita tuvieron una relación en la prepa.
things
A plural noun indicates that there is more than one person, place, thing, or idea.
17. (belongings)
a. las cosas (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).
I am going to pick up my things from my ex-girlfriend's place this weekend.Este fin de semana voy a recoger mis cosas de la casa de mi exnovia.
b. las vainas (F) (Andes) (Caribbean) (Central America)
(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).
Regionalism used in the Caribbean: Cuba, the Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico
Regionalism used in Central America: Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama
Bring your things over when you come.Traéte tus vainas contigo cuando vengas.
18. (situation)
b. las vaina (F) (Andes) (Caribbean) (Central America)
(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).
Regionalism used in the Caribbean: Cuba, the Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico
Regionalism used in Central America: Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama
I'm not happy about things.Estas vainas no me hacen gracia.
