preparación universitaria
/pɾepaɾaθjon unibeɾsitaɾja/from spelling rules
In Spanish, college prep is said as preparación universitaria.
The phrase refers to educational programs or courses designed to prepare high school students for university study.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of preparación (preparation) and universitaria (university-related).
Which one should you use?
You may also see more descriptive formal versions such as Preparación para la Universidad (preparation for the university) or Preparación Académica para la Educación Superior (academic preparation for higher education).
Is it said differently in some regions?
In many Latin American countries, the term preparatoria is used to refer to the level of schooling that serves as college prep.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective universitaria must agree in gender with the feminine noun preparación.
How do you pronounce it?
/pɾepaɾaθjon unibeɾsitaɾja/
Did you know?
- While 'college prep' in English is a noun phrase, in many Spanish-speaking countries, students simply say they are in la prepa to refer to this entire preparatory stage.
- In Spain, the equivalent of college prep is often called selectividad, referring to the grueling national entrance exam students must pass to enter university.
- In some regions, students who attend private 'college prep' centers may call them academias, which differs from the English use of 'academy' to mean a primary or secondary school.
Examples in context
- Ella busca un curso de preparación universitaria.She is looking for a college prep course.
- La preparación universitaria es muy importante.College prep is very important.
- Tengo clases de preparación universitaria por la tarde.I have college prep classes in the afternoon.
Example conversation
Lucía and Javier are discussing their high school schedule.
- LucíaJavier, ¿te inscribiste en preparación universitaria?Javier, did you enroll in college prep?
- JavierSí, quiero entrar a una buena facultad.Yes, I want to get into a good college.
- LucíaYo también, la preparación universitaria es importante.Me too, college prep is important.
- JavierExacto, nos ayudará mucho con los exámenes.Exactly, it will help us a lot with the exams.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
