me acabo de graduar
/me akabo de ɡɾadwaɾ/from spelling rules
The English phrase "I just graduated" is translated into Spanish as me acabo de graduar.
This phrase is used to state that someone has completed their studies and received a degree very recently. The grammatical construction acabar de + infinitive is the standard method in Spanish to express that an action was completed in the very recent past.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, you might hear me acabo de licenciar to mean "I just got my degree." In Mexico and Colombia, the phrase recién me titulé is commonly used to convey the same meaning. In Latin American countries, the informal phrase recién salí de la universidad is often used to say "I just got out of university."
How does it change in a sentence?
In many Spanish-speaking countries, particularly in Latin America, licenciarse is a common alternative to graduarse when referring to obtaining a degree.
Did you know?
- The verb acabar in the phrase me acabo de graduar shares an ancient root with the English word 'head', specifically from the Latin caput.
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, the word título refers to the physical diploma, and the verb titularse describes the formal process of defending a thesis to earn that degree.
- In some Latin American cultures, the act of graduating is celebrated with a graduación ceremony that is often more a social rite of passage than a formal academic requirement.
Examples in context
- Estimados miembros de la facultad, me complace informarles que acabo de graduarme. Agradezco esta oportunidad y espero poder aplicar mis conocimientos en futuros proyectos.Dear faculty members, I am pleased to inform you that I have just graduated. I appreciate this opportunity and look forward to applying my knowledge in future projects.
- Como recién me he graduado, estoy buscando oportunidades laborales en mi campo de estudio. Agradezco cualquier asistencia que puedan ofrecerme.Since I have just graduated, I am looking for job opportunities in my field of study. I appreciate any assistance you can provide.
- ¡Amigos, me gradué hace poco! Estoy emocionado/a por esta nueva etapa de mi vida.Friends, I graduated recently! I'm excited for this new stage of my life.
- Acabo de terminar la carrera, así que ahora puedo relajarme un poco antes de comenzar a buscar trabajo.I just finished my degree, so now I can relax a bit before starting to look for a job.
- Me acabo de graduar de la universidad.I just graduated from university.
- ¡Qué bien! Me acabo de graduar hoy.How great! I just graduated today.
- Me acabo de graduar de la escuela de medicina.I just graduated from medical school.
Example conversation
Sofía and Daniel are catching up at a café.
- Sofía¡Hola Daniel! Me acabo de graduar.Hi Daniel! I just graduated.
- Daniel¡Felicidades, Sofía! Es un gran logro.Congratulations, Sofía! It is a great achievement.
- SofíaGracias, estoy muy feliz por terminar.Thanks, I am very happy to be finished.
- DanielTe mereces celebrar mucho este éxito.You deserve to celebrate this success a lot.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries acabo, de, me, CC BY-SA 4.0.
