Inklingo

How to Say "college" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “college” is “universidad” — use 'universidad' when referring to a higher education institution in general, especially in countries where it's the standard term for university, and often when 'college' is used informally in US English to mean university..

universidad🔊A1

Use 'universidad' when referring to a higher education institution in general, especially in countries where it's the standard term for university, and often when 'college' is used informally in US English to mean university.

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universitario🔊A2

Use 'universitario' as an adjective to describe something related to a university or college, particularly in regions where 'college' and 'university' are used interchangeably.

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escuela🔊B1

Use 'escuela' when referring to a specific school or department within a university, such as a 'school of medicine' or 'college of engineering'.

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colegio🔊B2

Use 'colegio' to refer to a professional association or a body of officials, like a bar association or a college of cardinals, rather than an academic institution for higher education.

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English → Spanish

universidad

/oo-nee-behr-see-DAHD//unibeɾsiˈðad/

NounA1General
Use 'universidad' when referring to a higher education institution in general, especially in countries where it's the standard term for university, and often when 'college' is used informally in US English to mean university.
A stately, classic university building made of light stone, featuring tall columns and a prominent arched entrance. Two young students are walking up the front steps carrying backpacks.

Examples

Mi hermana estudia en la universidad.

My sister studies at the university.

Me gustaría ir a una universidad en España.

I would like to go to a university in Spain.

La universidad ofrece muchos cursos interesantes.

The university offers many interesting courses.

Always Feminine

The word 'universidad' is always feminine. This means you should always use feminine words like 'la', 'una', or 'esta' with it. For example, 'la universidad es grande' (the university is big).

Confusing 'universidad' and 'colegio'

Mistake: “Estudio biología en el colegio.”

Correction: Estudio biología en la universidad. In Spanish, 'colegio' almost always means high school or a younger school. For higher education, you must use 'universidad'.

universitario

/oo-nee-behr-see-tah-ryoh//uniβersiˈtaɾjo/

AdjectiveA2General
Use 'universitario' as an adjective to describe something related to a university or college, particularly in regions where 'college' and 'university' are used interchangeably.
A large, classic brick university building with many windows and a large arched entrance.

Examples

El campus universitario es muy grande y moderno.

The university campus is very big and modern.

Ella recibió un título universitario el año pasado.

She received a university degree last year.

Me gusta el ambiente universitario de esta ciudad.

I like the university vibe of this city.

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').

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.

escuela

/es-KWEH-lah//esˈkwela/

NounB1General
Use 'escuela' when referring to a specific school or department within a university, such as a 'school of medicine' or 'college of engineering'.
A detailed wooden easel holding a blank canvas, surrounded by colorful paint tubes, brushes, and a palette, set inside a grand, classical building interior.

Examples

Mi hermano se graduó de la escuela de derecho.

My brother graduated from law school.

Ella quiere estudiar en una famosa escuela de arte en París.

She wants to study at a famous art school in Paris.

La escuela de negocios tiene un programa nuevo.

The business school has a new program.

colegio

coh-LEH-heeoh/koˈlexjo/

NounB2Formal
Use 'colegio' to refer to a professional association or a body of officials, like a bar association or a college of cardinals, rather than an academic institution for higher education.
An illustration showing three figures representing different professions (a doctor, a lawyer, and an architect) standing together formally, symbolizing a professional association.

Examples

Para ejercer la abogacía, debes estar inscrito en el colegio de abogados.

To practice law, you must be registered with the bar association.

El colegio médico emitió un comunicado sobre la nueva ley de sanidad.

The college of physicians issued a statement regarding the new health law.

Formal Context

In this sense, 'colegio' refers to the governing body itself, not the building. It is always singular when referring to the entire organization.

College vs. University in Spanish

The most common mistake is assuming 'colegio' always means 'college' as an academic institution. In Spanish, 'colegio' rarely refers to university-level studies; 'universidad' is the primary term for that. 'Colegio' is more often used for professional bodies or sometimes for secondary schools.

Related Translations

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