Buona laurea
The Italian phrase for "happy graduation" is Buona laurea.
Buona laurea is a greeting used specifically to congratulate someone on completing a university degree. It is not used for high school graduation.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the adjective buona (good) and the noun laurea (graduation/degree).
Which one should you use?
While Buona laurea serves as a greeting, you can also use the common one-word exclamation Congratulazioni! to congratulate a graduate. For a more formal expression, you can say Congratulazioni per la Laurea!, which translates to "Congratulations on your graduation."
Did you know?
- In Italy, it is a common tradition for friends and family to play lighthearted pranks on the graduate during their celebration, such as covering them in flour, eggs or confetti.
- University graduates in Italy often wear a official laurel wreath, called a corona di alloro, on their heads during the graduation ceremony and party.
- The word laurea shares an unexpected root with the Latin word for 'laurel', the leaves traditionally used to make crowns for victors.
Examples in context
- Ti faccio tantissimi auguri, buona laurea!I wish you the best, happy graduation!
Example conversation
Matteo meets Chiara after her final exam.
- MatteoChiara, ce l'hai fatta! Buona laurea!Chiara, you did it! Happy graduation!
- ChiaraGrazie mille, Matteo!Thank you so much, Matteo!
- MatteoOra possiamo finalmente festeggiare.Now we can finally celebrate.
- ChiaraSì, andiamo subito al ristorante.Yes, let's go to the restaurant right away.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries laurea, CC BY-SA 4.0.
