autodidacta
/autodidaɡta/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'self-taught' is translated into Spanish as autodidacta.
The term is used to describe someone who is educated by themselves. For the concept of the practice of being self-taught, you can use the noun autodidactismo.
Meaning: educated by oneself (adj)
How does it change in a sentence?
autodidacta is an invariable adjective, so it remains the same whether the subject is masculine or feminine. To express the plural, add an 's' to form autodidactas.
How do you pronounce it?
/autodidaɡta/
Did you know?
- The word autodidacta is a 'cognate' with the English 'autodidact', but while the English version is rare and sounds archaic, the Spanish version is the standard term used in everyday conversation.
- Spanish distinguishes between autodidacta and empírico, the latter describing someone who learns specifically through practical experience rather than books.
- While autodidacta is the formal term, Spanish speakers often use the phrase aprendió por su cuenta, which literally means 'learned by their own account'.
Examples in context
- Soy autodidactaI am self-taught
- Ella es autodidácticaShe is self-taught
- Lo aprendí por mi cuentaI learned it on my own
- Lo aprendí de manera autodidactaI learned it in a self-taught way
- Lo hice por cuenta propiaI did it on my own
- Mi conocimiento en programación es autodidacta y he desarrollado mis habilidades por cuenta propia.My programming knowledge is self-taught, and I have developed my skills on my own.
- Como autodidacta, he adquirido un dominio profundo de varios idiomas.As a self-taught person, I have gained a deep understanding of several languages.
- Aprendí a tocar la guitarra por mi cuenta. Soy totalmente autodidacta en eso.I learned to play the guitar on my own. I am completely self-taught in that.
- Siempre me ha interesado el arte, y lo he explorado de manera autodidacta durante años.I have always been interested in art, and I have explored it in a self-taught way for years.
- Es un músico autodidacta.He is a self-taught musician.
- Ella es una artista autodidacta.She is a self-taught artist.
- Ella es completamente autodidacta en la cocina.She is completely self-taught in the kitchen.
Example conversation
Mateo and Lucía are discussing their hobbies at a cafe.
- Mateo¿Aprendiste a tocar la guitarra en una escuela?Did you learn to play the guitar in a school?
- LucíaNo, soy autodidacta.No, I am self-taught.
- Mateo¡Qué impresionante, Lucía!How impressive, Lucía!
- LucíaGracias, Mateo, me tomó mucho tiempo.Thanks, Mateo, it took me a lot of time.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
