beca

BEH-kahˈbe.ka

“beca” means “scholarship” in Spanish (financial aid for academic study).

scholarship, grant

Also: fellowship, stipend

NounfB1

MexicoSpain

A tall stack of shining gold coins resting beside a large, open academic textbook.

📝 In Action

Solicité una beca para estudiar en el extranjero.

I applied for a scholarship to study abroad.

Si obtienes una beca completa, no tendrás que pagar la matrícula.

If you get a full scholarship, you won't have to pay tuition.

Ella vive de una beca de investigación del gobierno.

She lives off a government research grant.

Word Connections

Synonyms

ayuda financiera (financial aid)
subsidio (subsidy)

Common Collocations

solicitar una beca – to apply for a scholarship
ganar/conseguir una beca – to win/get a scholarship
beca deportiva – athletic scholarship
beca de mérito – merit scholarship

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "beca" in Spanish:

fellowship→grant→scholarship→stipend→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: beca

Question 1 of 1

Which sentence correctly uses 'beca'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼

becario(scholarship recipient (m.)) — Noun

becaria(scholarship recipient (f.)) — Noun

becar(to grant a scholarship) — Verb

🎵 Rhymes▼

secacheca

📚 Etymology▼

The word comes from the Old Catalan word 'beca', which originally referred to a specific type of academic sash or hood worn by students. Over time, it came to mean the money or support that allowed a student to wear that garment and attend the university.

First recorded: 15th century

Cognates (Related words)

Catalan: becaPortuguese: beca

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between 'una beca' and 'un préstamo'?

A 'beca' (scholarship/grant) is money you receive for your studies that you usually do not have to pay back. A 'préstamo' (loan) is money you borrow that you must repay later, often with interest.