universitario
/oo-nee-behr-see-tah-ryoh/
university
A university building representing something related to a university.
universitario(adjective)
university
?describing something belonging to or related to a university
academic
?referring to the university environment or level
,college
?used in regions where 'college' and 'university' are synonymous
📝 In Action
El campus universitario es muy grande y moderno.
A2The university campus is very big and modern.
Ella recibió un título universitario el año pasado.
A2She received a university degree last year.
Me gusta el ambiente universitario de esta ciudad.
B1I like the university vibe of this city.
💡 Grammar Points
Placement after the noun
In Spanish, this word usually comes after the person or thing it describes, like saying 'the student university' instead of 'the university student'.
Matching the gender
Since this word ends in 'o', it changes to 'universitaria' if the thing it is describing is feminine (like 'la vida').
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using 'de universidad' too much
Mistake: "Using 'el libro de universidad'."
Correction: Say 'el libro universitario' to sound more natural, as Spanish prefers the adjective form.
⭐ Usage Tips
University vs. College
In Spanish-speaking countries, 'universitario' covers both 'college' and 'university' because the distinction used in the US doesn't really exist there.
A university student enrolled in higher education.
universitario(noun)
university student
?a person currently enrolled in higher education
college student
?common American English equivalent
📝 In Action
Como universitario, tiene un descuento en el transporte público.
A2As a university student, he has a discount on public transport.
Muchos universitarios viven en este barrio.
B1Many university students live in this neighborhood.
💡 Grammar Points
Using 'ser' for identity
Use 'ser' with this word to say what someone is by profession or status: 'Él es universitario'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Adding 'un' unnecessarily
Mistake: "Saying 'Él es un universitario'."
Correction: Say 'Él es universitario'.
⭐ Usage Tips
Specific focus
While 'estudiante' can mean a kid in school or an adult, 'universitario' specifically tells people you are in higher education.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: universitario
Question 1 of 2
How would you say 'the university degree' in Spanish?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Can 'universitario' be used for women?
The word 'universitario' is the masculine form. To refer to a woman or a feminine thing, you change the 'o' to 'a' to get 'universitaria'.
Does it mean the same thing as 'academic'?
Often, yes. While 'académico' is more formal and refers to the world of study in general, 'universitario' specifically points to things related to a university campus or student life.