me gradué
/me ɡɾadwe/from spelling rules
me gradué is the Spanish way to say "I graduated".
This phrase is used to state that a person has successfully completed a course of study at a school or university.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is reflexive, using the pronoun me which literally implies "I graduated (myself)".
How does it change in a sentence?
When you want to specify the institution you graduated from, you must use the preposition de after the verb, forming me gradué de (I graduated from).
How do you pronounce it?
/me ɡɾadwe/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid omitting the reflexive pronoun me and saying only gradué. English speakers often make this mistake, but you should always include me to say me gradué.
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, instead of saying me gradué, people more commonly say me recibí to announce they have completed their studies. This comes from the idea of 'receiving' a professional title or degree.
- While you say me gradué to indicate you finished your studies, you might be called a licenciado or licenciada as a formal title of respect in professional settings.
- In some Latin American cultures, it is common to throw a fiesta de graduación where the graduate wears a specific sash or stole that denotes their field of study by color.
Examples in context
- Me gradué hace cinco años.I graduated five years ago.This sentence is useful for stating how long ago you graduated using me gradué.Tatoeba #5099125 by ecorralest101, translation #5101651 by Catriona
- Comencé a trabajar en cuanto me gradué de la universidad.I started working as soon as I graduated from college.This sentence shows how to use me gradué when talking about starting work after college.Tatoeba #10585960 by DJ_Saidez, translation #10483649 by DJ_Saidez
- He terminado mis estudios en Administración de Empresas.I have finished my studies in Business Administration.
- Me complace informarles que he obtenido mi título en Ingeniería.I am pleased to inform you that I have obtained my degree in Engineering.
- ¡Por fin me gradué!I finally graduated!
Example conversation
María tells Mateo about her recent achievement at a cafe.
- MaríaMateo, ¡me gradué de la escuela!Mateo, I graduated from school!
- Mateo¡Felicidades, María! Estoy muy orgulloso de ti.Congratulations, María! I am very proud of you.
- MaríaGracias, ha sido un camino difícil.Thank you, it has been a difficult path.
- MateoPero ahora puedes celebrar tu éxito.But now you can celebrate your success.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
