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graduar

grah-dwahrɡɾaˈðwaɾ

“graduar” means “to graduate” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

to graduate

Also: to confer a degree
VerbA2regular with accent shift ar
A square black academic cap with a golden tassel sitting on a wooden table.
gerundgraduando
past Participlegraduado
infinitivegraduar

📝 In Action

Me voy a graduar de la universidad el próximo mayo.

A2

I am going to graduate from university next May.

¿Cuándo se graduó tu hermano?

A2

When did your brother graduate?

La universidad graduó a más de mil estudiantes este año.

B1

The university graduated more than a thousand students this year.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • titularse (to get a degree)
  • licenciarse (to graduate with a license/degree)

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • graduarse con honores – to graduate with honors
  • recién graduado – recently graduated / fresh graduate

to adjust, to calibrate

Also: to test vision
VerbB2regular with accent shift ar
A hand turning a round metallic dial on a smooth surface.
gerundgraduando
past Participlegraduado
infinitivegraduar

📝 In Action

Tienes que graduar el termostato para que no haga tanto frío.

B1

You have to adjust the thermostat so it isn't so cold.

Necesito ir al oculista para graduar mi vista.

B2

I need to go to the eye doctor to have my vision tested.

Es posible graduar la intensidad de estas luces.

B2

It is possible to regulate the intensity of these lights.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • desajustar (to mess up/un-adjust)

Common Collocations

  • graduar la vista – to test/measure vision
  • graduar la temperatura – to adjust the temperature

Subjunctive

Imperfect Subjunctive

yograduara
túgraduaras
él/ella/ustedgraduara
nosotrosgraduáramos
vosotrosgraduarais
ellos/ellas/ustedesgraduaran

Present Subjunctive

yogradúe
túgradúes
él/ella/ustedgradúe
nosotrosgraduemos
vosotrosgraduéis
ellos/ellas/ustedesgradúen

Indicative

Preterite

yogradué
túgraduaste
él/ella/ustedgraduó
nosotrosgraduamos
vosotrosgraduasteis
ellos/ellas/ustedesgraduaron

Imperfect

yograduaba
túgraduabas
él/ella/ustedgraduaba
nosotrosgraduábamos
vosotrosgraduabais
ellos/ellas/ustedesgraduaban

Present

yogradúo
túgradúas
él/ella/ustedgradúa
nosotrosgraduamos
vosotrosgraduáis
ellos/ellas/ustedesgradúan
View All Tenses & Moods →

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "graduar" in Spanish:

to adjust→to calibrate→to graduate→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: graduar

Question 1 of 3

Which sentence means 'I graduated from high school last year'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
la graduación(graduation ceremony) — Noun
el graduado(graduate (person)) — Noun
gradual(gradual) — Adjective
el grado(degree / grade) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

From the Latin word 'gradus,' which means 'step' or 'level.' This is the same root that gave us the English word 'grade.'

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: graduateFrench: graduer

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'graduar' the same as 'terminar'?

'Terminar' means to finish anything. 'Graduar' specifically refers to finishing a formal educational program and receiving a diploma.

When should I use 'se' with graduar?

Use 'se' (graduarse) when a person is the one finishing school. Use 'graduar' without 'se' when an institution is granting the degree or when you are adjusting a technical device.

How do I say 'graduated lenses' for glasses?

You would use the adjective form: 'lentes graduadas' or 'cristales graduados'.