matter

problema

En estas expresiones, indica que algo va mal o que alguien está preocupado o molesto.

En inglés sencillo: In these expressions, something is wrong or someone is upset.

• What is the matter?
• Nothing is the matter with me.
• She could see that something was the matter.

Cómo se usa: what is the matter with someone/something? (What is the matter with your phone?); something is the matter with someone/something (Something is the matter with my knee.)

Sinónimos: problem, trouble

Expresiones frecuentes: the matter, matter with someone, matter with something

asunto, cuestión

Tema, situación o tarea de la que se habla o que hay que atender.

En inglés sencillo: A subject, situation, or task that people discuss or deal with.

• We need to discuss this matter.
• Please deal with urgent matters first.
• How we spend our money is a private matter.

Cómo se usa: a matter of something (Keeping our promise is a matter of trust.)

Sinónimos: issue, subject, affair

Expresiones frecuentes: urgent matter, private matter, matter of importance, serious matter

de hecho, en realidad

En esta expresión, introduce un dato verdadero que a menudo sorprende a quien escucha.

En inglés sencillo: In this expression, you add a true fact, often one that surprises someone.

• As a matter of fact, I know her.
• He is not poor; as a matter of fact, he owns three houses.
• As a matter of fact, we met yesterday.

Cómo se usa: as a matter of fact, … (As a matter of fact, I have already finished.)

Expresiones frecuentes: matter of fact, as a matter

materia

Sustancia de la que están hechas las cosas, ya sea sólida, líquida o gaseosa.

En inglés sencillo: The physical stuff that things are made of, including solids, liquids, and gases.

• All matter has mass.
• Dead leaves add organic matter to the soil.
• Scientists study how matter changes when heated.

Sinónimos: substance, material

Expresiones frecuentes: organic matter, solid matter, dark matter

cuestión de tiempo

En esta expresión, indica que algo ocurrirá sin duda cuando pase suficiente tiempo.

En inglés sencillo: In this expression, something will certainly happen after enough time has passed.

• It is only a matter of time.
• Her recovery is now a matter of weeks.
• It was only a matter of time before the old car broke down.

Cómo se usa: only a matter of time before … (It is only a matter of time before they find us.)

Expresiones frecuentes: matter of time, matter of days, matter of weeks

es más, por cierto

En esta expresión, añade otro punto relacionado que refuerza lo que se acaba de decir.

En inglés sencillo: In this expression, you add another related point that supports what you just said.

• I do not like tea, or coffee, for that matter.
• He never calls, or writes, for that matter.
• She could lead this team, or the whole company, for that matter.

Cómo se usa: …, for that matter (I cannot cook, or bake, for that matter.)

Expresiones frecuentes: for that matter, that matter

importar

Ser importante o influir en una situación o en su resultado.

En inglés sencillo: If something has importance or makes a difference, it has this quality.

• Your happiness matters.
• Does the colour matter to you?
• It did not matter that we were late.

Cómo se usa: matter to someone (Your opinion matters to me.); it matters whether/what/how … (It matters how you treat people.)

Sinónimos: count, be important

Expresiones frecuentes: matter to someone, really matter, matter a lot