curso
/ˈkuɾso/masculine
In Spanish, the word for course (as in a learning program) is curso. Wiktionary also lists materia.
Meaning: education: learning program (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| curso | /ˈkuɾso/ | masculine |
| materia | /maˈteɾja/ | feminine |
Curso is used for a structured program of study, such as a semester-long course or a specific training workshop. It can also be used more broadly to describe the path or progression of something, such as the course of a river or the course of a sickness.
Which one should you use?
While curso refers to the entire learning program or duration, materia refers to a specific subject or field of study within that program.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The word asignatura is commonly used in Spain. In Argentina, materia is used for 'course'.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
Because curso is a masculine noun, the definite article used is el rather than la.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈkuɾso/
Did you know?
- The Spanish word madera, meaning 'wood', is a linguistic sibling to materia, the word for 'subject' or 'matter'. They both descend from the same Latin root for 'material'.
- A student who fails a curso in some Spanish-speaking systems must 'repetir curso', effectively repeating the entire grade level.
- The word curso is used to describe the 'course' of a meal, such as primer curso for the first course.
Examples in context
- Me van a echar del curso.They're going to kick me off the course.This sentence shows how to talk about being removed from a curso.Tatoeba #6677485 by arh, translation #9706106 by DJ_Saidez
- Seguimos el curso del río.We followed the course of the river.This sentence illustrates the use of curso to describe the path of a river.Tatoeba #2269077 by Shishir, translation #2269076 by _undertoad
- La enfermedad sigue su curso.The sickness is taking its course.This sentence demonstrates using curso to describe the progression of a sickness.Tatoeba #2268520 by cueyayotl, translation #2268519 by _undertoad
- Estoy tomando un curso de español en la universidad.I am taking a Spanish course at the university.
- Las asignaturas de mi currículum incluyen matemáticas y literatura.The courses in my curriculum include mathematics and literature.
- Durante mi último año de secundaria, tomé varias materias interesantes.During my last year of high school, I took several interesting courses.
- Voy a inscribirme en una clase de cocina este verano.I'm going to enroll in a cooking course this summer.
- María está haciendo un cursito de fotografía los fines de semana.María is taking a little photography course on the weekends.
- 45 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mateo and María are talking about their university classes.
- MateoMaría, ¿te inscribiste en el curso de español?María, did you enroll in the Spanish course?
- MaríaSí, Mateo. El curso empieza la próxima semana.Yes, Mateo. The course starts next week.
- Mateo¡Qué bien! Yo también estoy en ese curso.That's great! I am in that course too.
- MaríaEntonces podemos estudiar juntos para el examen.Then we can study together for the exam.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “course” translations and entries curso, materia, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries curso, materia, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
