ciencias
/θjenθjas/from spelling rules
ciencias is the Spanish word for sciences.
The term refers to the systematic study of the structure and behavior of the physical and natural world through observation and experiment. You should use the plural form ciencias when referring to academic disciplines such as the social sciences (ciencias sociales). Additionally, you can use ciencias naturales to refer specifically to the natural sciences and ciencias exactas to refer to exact or mathematical sciences.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In several Latin American countries, ciencias naturales is the preferred term for the natural sciences.
How does it change in a sentence?
The singular form of this word is ciencia, while the plural form is ciencias.
How do you pronounce it?
/θjenθjas/
Did you know?
- In Spanish, the term ciencia is used in the expression no tiene ciencia, which is used to tell someone that a task is actually very simple and requires no special skill.
- In historical Spanish texts, ciencia was often used to mean any type of specialized skill or craft, not just the modern empirical method.
- In many Spanish-speaking academic settings, you might hear the term ciencias duras to describe the hard sciences, a direct metaphor for their perceived solidity compared to the social sciences.
Examples in context
- Ciencias como la física, la química y la biología son fundamentales para nuestra comprensión del mundo.Sciences like physics, chemistry, and biology are fundamental to our understanding of the world.
- En la escuela, estudiamos ciencias naturales para aprender sobre la flora y fauna de nuestro entorno.In school, we study natural sciences to learn about the flora and fauna in our environment.
- Hay quienes encuentran fascinación en las ciencias exactas y disfrutan resolviendo problemas matemáticos complejos.There are those who find fascination in exact sciences and enjoy solving complex mathematical problems.
- Me gustan mucho las ciencias naturales.I really like the natural sciences.
- Él estudia las ciencias sociales en la universidad.He studies the social sciences at the university.
- Las ciencias son fundamentales para el progreso.The sciences are fundamental for progress.
Example conversation
Two students are discussing their course preferences at a cafe.
- Lucía¿Qué materias prefieres tú, Alejandro?Which subjects do you prefer, Alejandro?
- AlejandroPrefiero las ciencias, especialmente la biología.I prefer the sciences, especially biology.
- LucíaA mí me fascinan las ciencias puras.I am fascinated by the pure sciences.
- AlejandroEs un campo muy interesante para estudiar.It is a very interesting field to study.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
