How to Say "Matter" in Spanish

materia

/maˈteɾja/

The English phrase 'matter' can be translated into Spanish as materia.

materia can refer to the physical substance or basic structural component of the universe, it is also used to describe a kind of substance.

Meaning: to be important (verb)

Which one should you use?

Asunto is a formal way to say 'matter', and rollo is a colloquial way to refer to a matter or issue.

In Spain, the colloquial term rollo is used to refer to a matter or issue.

/maˈteɾja/

The word materia is a linguistic sibling to the Spanish word madera, meaning 'wood'. Both descend from the Latin word for the trunk of a tree, which was considered the 'raw material' for building.
The colloquial term rollo literally means 'roll' or 'scroll'. In Spain, calling a matter a rollo often implies that the issue is tedious, boring or overly complicated.
While an English speaker says something 'matters', a Spanish speaker might say it importa, using the verb 'to import' instead of a word for 'substance'.

La materia oscura es invisible.
Dark matter is invisible.
This sentence is useful for illustrating the use of materia in a scientific context.
Tatoeba #6700592 by emigonza, translation #5875019 by Hybrid
La materia está hecha de átomos.
Matter is made of atoms.
This sentence demonstrates the use of materia when discussing physical substance.
Tatoeba #5025156 by don_ramon, translation #5008808 by Hybrid
La materia que discutimos es interesante.
The matter we're discussing is interesting.
This sentence shows how materia can refer to the subject or matter being discussed.
Tatoeba #2268388 by cueyayotl, translation #2268387 by _undertoad
El asunto que tratamos hoy en la reunión es de gran importancia.
The matter we are discussing today in the meeting is of great importance.
Necesito discutir un tema importante contigo.
I need to discuss an important matter with you.
Necesito hablarte sobre una cosa que me ocurrió hoy.
I need to talk to you about something that happened to me today.
Tengo que contarte un asuntito personal.
I have to tell you a personal matter.
17 more sentences on Tatoeba

María and Daniel are discussing their priorities for a project.

María

Para mí, la calidad de la materia importa más.
For me, the quality of the matter matters more.
Daniel

Entiendo, pero el tiempo también es importante.
I understand, but time is also important.
María

¿Realmente crees que eso importa ahora?
Do you really think that matters now?
Daniel

Sí, Daniel cree que el horario importa mucho.
Yes, Daniel thinks the schedule matters a lot.

Sources

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