Spanish subjects cover all the topics you might encounter in school or university, from mathematics to history to art. Knowing these words lets you ask about classes, talk about your schedule, and discuss your favorite (or least favorite) subjects in Spanish.
Common School Subjects
These are the basic subjects you’ll find in most Spanish-speaking schools, from primary school to high school. They include the core academic areas as well as some typical extracurriculars.
- You can ask which subjects a classmate takes (“¿Qué asignaturas tienes?”) or say which one you like best (“Me gusta la historia”).
- These nouns are typically feminine plural when referring to subjects in general (e.g., “las matemáticas”), but you can use the singular form if you mean the subject as a concept (e.g., “la historia”).
- Some subjects have the same form in both singular and plural (e.g., “matemáticas”) and are always plural in Spanish.
Advanced and University Subjects
These subjects are more specialized and usually appear in high school (bachillerato) or university. Learning these words helps you talk about higher education and future career paths.
- You might ask “¿Qué estudias en la universidad?” (“What do you study at university?”) or talk about your major (“Estudio ingeniería”).
- The articles and endings follow the same gender rules as the simpler subjects.
- Many university subjects have the same form as in English but follow Spanish pronunciation and spelling rules.
Related Vocabulary
These are additional words that help you talk about classes, schedules, and studying in Spanish. They are useful for everyday conversation about school life.
- You can use these to describe your routine (“Tengo clase de biología a las 10”) or talk about your teachers (“Mi profesora de matemáticas es muy buena”).
- The word “clase” can mean “class” or “lesson,” and it is feminine: “la clase.”
- “Asignatura” is a formal term for “subject,” while “materia” is more general and can also mean “topic” or “field of study.”
Which is correct? 'Tengo una ___ mañana. ¿Quieres estudiar juntos?' (I have a ___ tomorrow. Do you want to study together?)
examen
'Examen' means exam or test, which is something students study for.
Choose the best word: 'Mi ___ favorita es biología porque me gustan los animales.' (My favorite ___ is biology because I like animals.)
materia
'Materia' means subject or field of study, fitting the sentence about a favorite area of learning.
Example Sentences
Using subjects in full sentences helps you see how they fit into normal conversation. These examples also include useful verbs and prepositions that often appear with subject words in Spanish.
- Notice how you usually say “Tengo clase de [subject]” or “Estudio [subject]” without using “el” or “la” before the subject.
- When asking questions, you can say “¿Qué asignaturas tienes?” or “¿Cuál es tu materia favorita?”
- Prepositions like “de” (of) and “en” (in) are commonly used to connect subjects with other parts of the sentence.
Summary
Spanish subject vocabulary lets you name your classes, talk about your studies, and understand schedules and conversations in school or college. From elementary topics like mathematics and history to advanced fields like psychology and engineering, these words are a key part of everyday academic life in the Spanish-speaking world.
Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025
