maestría
/maesˈtɾia/
The English word mastery is translated into Spanish as maestría.
maestría refers to the act or process of mastering something, or the expertise itself. It is also the standard term used in academic contexts to refer to a master's degree. While it describes high-level expertise or artistry, it is more specific than the word habilidad, which is used for a general sense of skill.
Meaning: act or process of mastering, expertise (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is derived from maestro, meaning 'master' or 'teacher'.
Which one should you use?
Use maestría when you want to imply a high level of expertise or artistry. For a more general sense of 'skill', use habilidad.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, mastery can be translated as maestría.
How does it change in a sentence?
As a noun, maestría is feminine and its plural form is maestrías.
How do you pronounce it?
/maesˈtɾia/
Did you know?
- In the era of historical Spanish guilds, attaining maestría was a legal status. It granted a craftsman the official right to open a shop and train their own apprentices.
- The word maestría shares a distant ancestor with the English word 'magistrate', both stemming from the Latin 'magister', which refers to a person in a position of authority or leadership.
- While maestría describes high-level expertise, Spanish speakers use virtuosismo when the mastery involves supernatural speed or ease, particularly in music.
Examples in context
- Toca la guitarra acústica con gran maestría.He plays the acoustic guitar with great mastery.This sentence shows how to describe playing an instrument with great mastery using maestría.Tatoeba #3720385 by Seael, translation #7328330 by Sleekkat
- La maestría es la mejor meta porque los ricos no la pueden comprar, los impacientes no la pueden apresurar, los privilegiados no la pueden heredar, y nadie la puede robar. Solo se puede conseguir a través de empeño. La maestría es el estatus supremo.Mastery is the best goal because the rich can't buy it, the impatient can't rush it, the privileged can't inherit it, and nobody can steal it. You can only earn it through hard work. Mastery is the ultimate status.This sentence illustrates a philosophical description of maestría as an earned status.Tatoeba #11561743 by DJ_Saidez, translation #11561740 by DJ_Saidez
- Ha demostrado una competencia excepcional en su campoHe/She has demonstrated exceptional mastery in their field
- Ha alcanzado una destreza asombrosa en la guitarra clásicaHe/She has achieved astonishing mastery in classical guitar playing
- Tiene un dominio increíble del idioma inglésHe/She has an incredible mastery of the English language
- Ese hombre tiene mucha maña en la cocinaThat man has a lot of culinary mastery
- A pesar de su juventud, ha demostrado una pericia impresionante en su trabajoDespite his/her youth, he/she has shown impressive mastery in his/her work
- El chef cocina con una maestría impresionante.The chef cooks with impressive mastery.
Example conversation
Two colleagues are discussing a talented colleague's work.
- LucíaEl nuevo diseñador tiene mucha maestría.The new designer has a lot of mastery.
- MateoEs cierto, su técnica es increíble.It is true, his technique is incredible.
- LucíaMateo, ¿has visto su último proyecto?Mateo, have you seen his latest project?
- MateoSí, Lucía, es un trabajo perfecto.Yes, Lucía, it is a perfect piece of work.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry maestría, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries maestría, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
