madera
general, Mexico
Wood as a material is madera in Mexican Spanish. For firewood you say leña. A woods or forest is a different word, bosque.
Meaning: material from trees (noun)
Ways to say it
| Mexican | Note |
|---|---|
| madera | general, Mexico |
| leña | firewood |
Say una mesa de madera for "a wooden table". Use leña for logs burned in a stove or fire.
How does it change in a sentence?
Madera is feminine: la madera, de madera.
What mistakes should you avoid?
The English "woods" meaning forest is bosque, not madera.
Did you know?
- The colorful carved figures called alebrijes from Oaxaca are often made from copal wood.
Examples in context
- La mesa es de madera.The table is made of wood.
- Necesitamos leña para el fuego.We need firewood for the fire.
- El bosque está cerca del pueblo.The forest is near the town.
Example conversation
Don Ernesto talks to his grandson at a carpentry shop.
- NietoAbuelo, ¿de qué madera es esta silla?Grandpa, what wood is this chair made of?
- ErnestoDe pino, es buena madera.Pine, it is good wood.
- Nieto¿Y la leña para qué es?And what is the firewood for?
- ErnestoPara el fogón de la casa.For the stove at home.
