graduación
/grah-dwah-SYOHN/
graduation
The ceremony or act of receiving a degree is the primary meaning of graduación (graduation).
graduación(noun)
graduation
?ceremony or act of receiving a degree
commencement
?formal ceremony
📝 In Action
Mi hermana tendrá su graduación de la universidad el sábado.
A2My sister will have her university graduation on Saturday.
Compramos un regalo especial para celebrar la graduación de Lucas.
B1We bought a special gift to celebrate Lucas's graduation.
La graduación fue un evento muy emotivo para todos los padres.
B1The graduation was a very emotional event for all the parents.
💡 Grammar Points
Always Feminine
Remember to use the feminine article 'la' and feminine adjectives with 'graduación': 'la gran graduación' (the great graduation).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing the Noun and Verb
Mistake: "Using the verb form when you want the event: 'Estoy mi graduación' (I am my graduation)."
Correction: Use the noun 'graduación' for the event, and the verb 'graduarme' (to graduate) for the action. Correct: 'Es mi graduación' (It is my graduation).
⭐ Usage Tips
Formal vs. Informal
While 'graduación' is the standard term, in some countries, people might use phrases like 'el acto de fin de curso' (end-of-year ceremony).
Graduación can also refer to the scale or measurement divisions on an instrument.
graduación(noun)
scale
?measurement divisions on an instrument
,calibration
?setting a precise level
grading
?levels of color or intensity
,degree
?level of intensity or alcohol content
📝 In Action
La graduación de la temperatura en el termómetro es muy precisa.
B2The temperature scale on the thermometer is very precise.
Necesito ajustar la graduación de mis gafas.
C1I need to adjust the prescription/calibration of my glasses.
El vino tiene una graduación alcohólica alta.
C1The wine has a high alcohol content/proof.
💡 Grammar Points
Technical Contexts
This meaning is often seen with technical objects like lenses, measuring tools, or scientific concepts where things are measured in 'degrees' or 'steps'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using 'escala' for the ceremony
Mistake: "Usar 'escala' para referirse a la ceremonia universitaria."
Correction: 'Escala' means 'scale' or 'layover' and should not be confused with 'graduación' (the ceremony).
⭐ Usage Tips
The Root Meaning Connection
Both meanings relate to 'steps' or 'levels.' Think of the ceremony as the final 'step' and the scale as marked 'steps' of measurement.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: graduación
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'graduación' to mean 'a measurement scale'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
¿Es 'graduación' solo para la universidad?
No, 'graduación' se usa para cualquier nivel educativo, como la escuela secundaria ('high school') o la universidad. Simplemente significa la ceremonia donde se completa un ciclo de estudios.
How do I talk about getting my eyes checked for glasses using this word?
You would use the phrase 'la graduación óptica' or simply 'la graduación' to refer to the prescription level of your lenses (e.g., 'Tengo que cambiar mi graduación' — I have to change my prescription).