catedrático
“catedrático” means “senior professor” in Spanish (university rank).
senior professor
Also: department chair, tenured professor
📝 In Action
Mi abuelo fue catedrático de Medicina durante treinta años.
B1My grandfather was a senior professor of Medicine for thirty years.
Para ser catedrático en España, hay que superar un proceso muy difícil.
B2To become a senior professor in Spain, you have to pass a very difficult process.
El catedrático de Historia publicó un libro sobre la Guerra Civil.
C1The senior History professor published a book about the Civil War.
Translate to Spanish
Words that translate to "catedrático" in Spanish:
department chair→senior professor→tenured professor→✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: catedrático
Question 1 of 3
What is the main difference between a 'profesor' and a 'catedrático'?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼
Comes from the Latin word 'cathedra,' which means 'chair' or 'seat.' In ancient times, the teacher sat in a special chair to give lessons, which represented their authority.
First recorded: 15th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is a 'catedrático' the same as a 'Dean'?
Not exactly. A 'catedrático' is a high academic rank based on teaching and research, while a 'Decano' (Dean) is an administrative leader of a faculty.
Can I use 'catedrático' for a woman?
For a woman, you should use the word 'catedrática'.
Is 'catedrático' related to 'catedral' (cathedral)?
Yes! Both come from the Latin word for 'chair.' A cathedral is where the bishop's chair (his seat of authority) is located, just as a 'catedrático' holds a 'chair' of authority in a subject.