madera
nounCEFR B2
What does “madera” mean in English?
timber, wood — wood as a building material; the trees yielding such wood
timber, wood — wood as a building material; the trees yielding such wood (industria maderera; madera sostenible; talar madera)
Example sentences
La industria maderera debe gestionar los bosques de forma sostenible para garantizar la regeneración de los recursos.
The timber industry must manage forests sustainably to guarantee the regeneration of resources.
Tiene madera de líder: siempre sabe cómo motivar a su equipo en los momentos más difíciles.
He has the makings of a leader: he always knows how to motivate his team in the most difficult moments.
Los muebles fabricados con madera certificada ofrecen garantías sobre el origen sostenible del material.
Furniture made with certified timber offers guarantees about the sustainable origin of the material.
How to use it
La madera (noun, feminine) means 'timber, wood' — wood as a material. Core B2 collocations: madera sostenible/certificada; la industria maderera; de madera (made of wood); madera dura/blanda; tener madera de (to have what it takes to be); golpear la madera (touch wood). The adjective is maderero. Distinguish from bosque (forest) and árbol (tree — the living source).
Common mistake
Tener madera de (to have the makings of) is a very common figurative expression. Tocar madera = touch wood. Madera (uncountable) = wood/timber; las maderas = types of wood. Don't confuse with leña (firewood).