cursar
“cursar” means “to study” in Spanish. It has 3 different meanings depending on context:
to study, to take
Also: to be in
📝 In Action
Ella está cursando el tercer año de medicina.
B1She is in her third year of medical school.
Decidí cursar esta asignatura el próximo semestre.
B1I decided to take this subject next semester.
Para ser abogado, debes cursar el grado de Derecho.
B2To be a lawyer, you must study a law degree.
to process, to send
Also: to issue
📝 In Action
La secretaría ya cursó su solicitud de beca.
B2The office has already processed your scholarship application.
Debemos cursar una invitación formal al director.
C1We must send a formal invitation to the director.
to present with
Also: to develop
📝 In Action
La gripe suele cursar con fiebre y dolor muscular.
C1The flu usually presents with fever and muscle pain.
🔄 Conjugations
subjunctive
imperfect
present
indicative
preterite
imperfect
present
Translate to Spanish
Words that translate to "cursar" in Spanish:
to develop→to issue→to process→to send→to study→to take→✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: cursar
Question 1 of 3
If you are in your second year of University, how would you say it using 'cursar'?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
From the Latin word 'cursare', which is a repetitive form of 'currere' (to run). It literally means 'to run a path' or 'to follow a course'.
First recorded: 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'cursar' the same as 'estudiar'?
Not exactly. 'Estudiar' is the general act of learning or preparing. 'Cursar' is more formal and refers to the official act of taking a class or being enrolled in a specific year of a degree.
Can I use 'cursar' for a short 1-day workshop?
It's usually used for longer periods like a semester, a year, or a full degree. For a 1-day workshop, 'hacer' or 'asistir a' is more common.
How do I conjugate it in the past?
It is completely regular! Just follow the standard -ar verb patterns: yo cursé, tú cursaste, él cursó.