matter
gb/mˈætɚ/ us/mˈætɚ/
A2
English
~ 1900
ügy, téma, anyag, számít, genny, váladék
NOUN
A2
1
Usage pattern:
[something] is a matter of [something]
This is a private matter between the two of them.
Ez kettőjük magánügye.
Money is not the only matter we need to discuss.
A pénz nem az egyetlen téma, amit meg kell beszélnünk.
The committee will address the matter at tomorrow's meeting.
It's only a small matter, nothing to worry about.
Learner examples
This is an important matter.
Ez fontos ügy.
We will talk about the matter later.
Később beszélünk majd az ügyről.
The teacher spoke about the matter in class.
This is not a simple matter.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'matter' (topic) with 'material' (physical substance).
Meaning
topic or situation of concern
Collocations
a serious matter
|a private matter
|deal with a matter
|settle a matter
|no matter
Synonyms
issue (Often interchangeable, but 'issue' can suggest a problem or point for debate.)
|
topic (Focuses more on the theme of discussion rather than a problem to solve.)
Antonyms
irrelevance (Refers to something unrelated or unimportant to the discussion.)
Themes
daily life
|communication
|business
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Something that is talked about, thought about, or needs attention.
A subject, problem, or situation that is being considered or needs to be dealt with.
NOUN
B1
2
anyag
A2
All living things are made of matter.
Minden élőlény anyagból áll.
Scientists study how matter changes from solid to liquid to gas.
A tudósok azt vizsgálják, hogyan változik az anyag szilárd halmazállapotból folyékony halmazállapotba, majd gázhalmazállapotba.
Dark matter cannot be seen directly.
Learner examples
Water is a type of matter.
A víz egyfajta anyag.
Matter can be solid, liquid, or gas.
Az anyag lehet szilárd, folyékony vagy légnemű.
Air is made of matter.
Common mistake:
Some learners think 'matter' here refers only to problems or issues; in science it means substance.
Meaning
physical substance of objects
Collocations
solid matter
|dark matter
|organic matter
Synonyms
material (More general, can refer to fabric or resources as well as physical substance.)
Antonyms
energy (In physics, energy is distinct from matter as it does not have mass or occupy space.)
Themes
science
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Anything that has weight and takes up space.
The physical substance that makes up all objects and materials in the universe.
VERB
A2
3
számít
A2
Usage pattern:
[something] matters to [someone]
It doesn't matter what they think.
Nem számít, mit gondolnak.
What really matters is that you're safe.
Ami igazán számít, az az, hogy biztonságban vagy.
Every vote matters in an election.
Learner examples
It does not matter what you wear.
Nem számít, mit veszel fel.
Family matters more than money.
A család többet számít, mint a pénz.
Your opinion matters to me.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes incorrectly use 'matter' transitively ('I matter you') instead of using 'to'.
Meaning
to be important or make a difference
Collocations
what matters most
|it doesn't matter
|matters to me
Synonyms
count (Informal; suggests importance in a personal way.)
Antonyms
be irrelevant (Means having no importance or effect on the situation.)
Themes
daily life
|emotions
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To be important or to make a difference.
To be important or to have an effect on a situation or outcome.
NOUN
C1
4
The cut was filled with yellowish matter.
A vágás tele volt sárgás gennyel.
Matter was oozing from the wound.
Genny szivárgott a sebből.
The doctor cleaned away the infected matter.
Learner examples
The wound had yellow matter.
A sebben sárga genny volt.
The nurse cleaned the matter from my cut.
Az ápoló kitisztította a gennyet a sebemből.
I saw white matter in my eye.
Meaning
pus or liquid from infection
Collocations
purulent matter
Synonyms
pus (More common in medical and everyday contexts; refers specifically to thick yellowish fluid from infection.)
Themes
medicine
|health
|body
Definition
Thick liquid (like pus) that comes from an infected part of the body.
A substance, such as pus, that comes from an infected part of the body.
Grammar
Dictionary form
matter
IPA
GB/mˈætɚ/
US/mˈætɚ/
Syllables & stress
mat - ter (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (mat)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: matter
- Plural: matter, matters
Verb
- Base: matter
- 3rd Person Singular: matters
- Present Participle: mattering
- Past: mattered
Word family
Forms
matters
noun
mattering
verb
mattered
verb
Core family
material
noun A2
Negative and opposite forms
immaterial
adjective C1
Advanced or less common
materially
adverb
materialism
noun C1
materialist
noun
materialistic
adjective B2
materialize
verb B2
Expressions
a matter of time
1/ə mˈætɚ əv tˈaɪm/
fixed phrase
something will happen sooner or later
Used when you are sure something will happen, but you do not know when.
Examples
- It’s only a matter of time before they find out.
- With his talent, it’s a matter of time before he becomes famous.
as a matter of fact
1/ˈæz ə mˈætɚ əv fˈækt/
fixed phrase
to add a true detail, often surprising
Used to add information, often giving a fact that may be surprising.
Examples
- As a matter of fact, I have met her before.
- I’m not tired; as a matter of fact, I feel great.
it doesn't matter
1/ˈɪt dˈʌzənt mˈætɚ/
fixed phrase
not important or relevant
Used to say that something is not important.
Examples
- It doesn't matter if we are late.
- It doesn't matter who wins; we had fun playing.
no matter how
1/nˈoʊ mˈætɚ hˈaʊ/
fixed phrase
regardless of degree or way something happens
It means in any way or amount something happens, it will not change the result.
Examples
- No matter how hard I try, I can't solve this puzzle.
- She stays cheerful no matter how bad things get.
no matter what
1/nˈoʊ mˈætɚ wˈʌt/
fixed phrase
regardless of circumstances
It means that something will happen or stay true in any situation.
Examples
- I will support you no matter what.
- No matter what happens, we must stay calm.