materias optativas
/mateɾjas obtatibas/from spelling rules
The English phrase "electives" is translated into Spanish as materias optativas.
The term refers to courses that a student can choose to take from a list of options.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of materias (subjects/matters) and optativas (elective/optional).
Which one should you use?
You may encounter Asignaturas optativas or Materias electivas in formal contexts. To express the opposite (required courses), use materias obligatorias.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Argentina or Uruguay, the term Ramos optativos is used to mean electives.
How does it change in a sentence?
The singular form of the phrase is materia optativa.
Did you know?
- In Argentina and Uruguay, you will hear the word ramos instead of materias when talking about electives. This uses a botanical metaphor, as ramo means 'branch', suggesting these courses are branches of a larger field of study.
- In some Spanish-speaking university systems, the term optativas can be divided into optativas libres (true electives) and optativas obligatorias (a requirement to choose one from a specific list).
- The word asignatura comes from the verb asignar, meaning 'to assign'. This highlights the historical view of a course as a specific duty or task assigned to the student by the institution.
Examples in context
- Tengo que elegir mis asignaturas optativas para el próximo semestre.I have to choose my electives for the next semester.
- ¿Cuáles son las materias electivas que ofrece la universidad?What are the elective courses that the university offers?
- Me gustaría tomar algunos cursos electivos de literatura.I would like to take some elective courses in literature.
- Tengo que elegir mis materias optativas.I have to choose my electives.
- Las materias optativas son muy interesantes este semestre.The electives are very interesting this semester.
- ¿Cuántas materias optativas vas a tomar?How many electives are you going to take?
Example conversation
Two university students are discussing their class registration.
- Sofía¿Ya elegiste tus materias optativas, Mateo?Have you chosen your electives yet, Mateo?
- MateoNo, todavía estoy revisando el catálogo.No, I am still checking the catalog.
- SofíaYo elegí fotografía como una de mis materias optativas.I chose photography as one of my electives.
- Mateo¡Qué buena idea, Sofía!What a great idea, Sofia!
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
