laurea
/ˈlaw.re.a/
The Italian phrase for college degree is laurea.
laurea is the common term for a college degree in Italy and encompasses both bachelor's and master's degrees. If you need to be more specific, a three-year undergraduate degree is called a laurea triennale and a master's degree is called a laurea magistrale.
Which one should you use?
While laurea refers to the degree itself, it is important to distinguish it from the person who holds it. A person with a degree is called a laureato (masculine) or a laureata (feminine).
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of laurea is lauree.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 3 syllables and the stress is on the first syllable: /ˈlaw.re.a/.
Did you know?
- In Italy, it is common to refer to a person by their title Dottore or Dottoressa once they have achieved their laurea, regardless of their specific field of study.
- Graduating students often celebrate their laurea by wearing silly costumes or participating in parades through their university towns.
- During a graduation ceremony, it is a common tradition for friends and family to place a corona d'alloro, a laurel wreath, on the head of the laureato.
Examples in context
- Alcune carriere non richiedono una laurea universitaria.Some careers don't require a college degree.This sentence shows how laurea can be used when discussing career requirements.Tatoeba #12991043 by Nuel, translation #12991042 by Nuel
- Ho conseguito una laurea in EconomiaI obtained a degree in Economics
- Ho completato una laurea triennale in Scienze PoliticheI completed a three-year degree in Political Science
- Ho conseguito una laurea magistrale in IngegneriaI obtained a master's degree in Engineering
- Ho ottenuto un dottorato di ricerca in PsicologiaI obtained a Ph.D. in Psychology
- Ho conseguito una magistrale in Lingue e Letterature StraniereI obtained a master's degree in Foreign Languages and Literatures
- Sono orgoglioso/a di aver conseguito una laurea in EconomiaI am proud to have obtained a degree in Economics
- Ho ottenuto una laurea in PsicologiaI obtained a degree in Psychology
- Ha finalmente preso la laurea.She finally got her college degree.
- Per questo lavoro serve una laurea.A college degree is required for this job.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about job applications at a cafe.
- LorenzoHai già una laurea?Do you already have a college degree?
- SofiaSì, la laurea l'ho presa l'anno scorso.Yes, I got my degree last year.
- LorenzoOttimo, Sofia, allora sei pronta per il colloquio.Great, Sofia, then you are ready for the interview.
- SofiaSperiamo che la mia laurea sia utile.I hope my degree will be useful.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry laurea, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
