universidad
“universidad” means “university” in Spanish (institution of higher education).
university
Also: college
📝 In Action
Mi hermana estudia en la universidad.
A1My sister studies at the university.
Me gustaría ir a una universidad en España.
A2I would like to go to a university in Spain.
La universidad ofrece muchos cursos interesantes.
B1The university offers many interesting courses.
Se graduó de la universidad con honores.
B2He graduated from the university with honors.
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✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: universidad
Question 1 of 2
Your friend in Madrid is 16 years old. Where does he most likely study?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
Comes from the Latin word 'universitas', which meant 'a community' or 'a whole'. It was first used to describe the community of teachers and scholars who gathered to learn, not the buildings themselves.
First recorded: Around the 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What's the main difference between 'universidad' and 'colegio' in Spanish?
In almost all Spanish-speaking regions, 'universidad' refers to higher education where you earn a degree. 'Colegio' is for primary or secondary school (like K-12 in the US). This is a very common point of confusion for English speakers, who often use 'college' for higher education.
How do I say 'I'm a university student'?
You can say 'Soy estudiante universitario' (if you're male) or 'Soy estudiante universitaria' (if you're female). You can also simply say 'Estudio en la universidad' (I study at the university).