Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| madera aserrada | /madeɾa aserada/ (from spelling rules) | feminine |
| maderos aserrados | /madeɾos aserados/ (from spelling rules) | masculine, plural |
The term refers specifically to wood that has been processed into building material. While the general word madera means wood or timber, madera aserrada identifies wood that has been sawed.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of madera (wood) and aserrada (sawed/sawn).
Which one should you use?
madera is a general term for wood, whereas madera aserrada specifically refers to wood that has been processed into lumber. In many construction contexts, speakers will simply use madera to refer to lumber because the distinction of being sawed is often implied.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some Latin American countries, such as Mexico and Colombia, maderas may be used to refer to lumber.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase madera aserrada is feminine and singular, so the adjective aserrada must agree with the feminine noun madera.
Did you know?
- The word madera shares its roots with the Latin māter, meaning 'mother'. It is as if the wood is the 'source' or 'mother' of all material objects.
- The phrase ser madera de… is used to say someone has the potential to become something, such as madera de líder for 'leader material'.
- While madera means wood, the word materia is a doublet of the same root and evolved to mean 'matter' or 'subject' in modern Spanish.
Examples in context
- Necesito comprar madera para construir una estantería.I need to buy lumber to build a bookshelf.
- El carpintero utilizó madera de roble para hacer la mesa.The carpenter used oak lumber to make the table.
- Estoy buscando tablones para construir un banco de jardín.I'm looking for lumber to build a garden bench.
- Vamos a necesitar varios tablones de pino para reparar la cerca.We will need several pine boards to fix the fence.
- Necesito comprar unas maderas para construir una cerca nueva.I need to buy some lumber to build a new fence.
- Necesito unos maderos para reparar el suelo.I need some lumber to repair the floor.
- Necesitamos comprar madera aserrada para la cabaña.We need to buy lumber for the cabin.
- La madera aserrada es muy cara ahora.Lumber is very expensive right now.
- Esa madera aserrada es de buena calidad.That lumber is of good quality.
Example conversation
Elena and Daniel are planning a home project.
- ElenaDaniel, ¿tienes madera aserrada en el garaje?Daniel, do you have lumber in the garage?
- DanielSí, tengo suficiente para la mesa.Yes, I have enough for the table.
- ElenaPerfecto, entonces podemos empezar mañana.Perfect, then we can start tomorrow.
- DanielClaro, yo preparo la madera aserrada.Sure, I will prepare the lumber.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “lumber” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries madera, CC BY-SA 4.0.
