preescolar
/pɾeeskoˈlaɾ/
In Spanish, pre-k is translated as preescolar.
preescolar refers to the educational program for children before they start kindergarten.
What does it mean word for word?
The term uses the prefix pre-, which is identical to the English prefix meaning 'before'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, preescolar is commonly used, though you may also hear the shorter version kínder. In Argentina, the term jardín de infantes is used to refer to Pre-K.
How does it change in a sentence?
preescolar is an adjective that can also function as a noun to refer to the educational level. When you are referring to the specific educational stage or the institution, use the masculine article el before preescolar (e.g., el preescolar).
How do you pronounce it?
/pɾeeskoˈlaɾ/
Did you know?
- In Argentina, the term jardín de infantes literally translates to 'garden of infants'. This reflects a historical European pedagogical philosophy that viewed early childhood education as 'cultivating' children like plants in a garden.
- In some regions, instead of saying a child is in 'Pre-K', people might say they are in maternal, referring to a stage even younger than traditional Pre-K programs.
- The prefix pre- in preescolar descends from the Latin prae-, which traces back to the Proto-Indo-European root *per-. This makes it a distant relative of the English word 'before'.
Examples in context
- Mi hijo asiste al preescolarMy child attends Pre-K
- Mi sobrina va a empezar el prekínder en septiembreMy niece will start Pre-K in September
- Estamos encantados con el programa de preescolar de esta escuelaWe are delighted with this school's Pre-K program
- El prekinder es una etapa importante para el desarrollo de los niños pequeñosPre-K is an important stage for the development of young children
- Mi hijo está en preescolar.My son is in pre-k.
- Mi hijo va a la escuela preescolar.My son goes to pre-k.
- Busco un programa preescolar para mi hija.I am looking for a pre-k program for my daughter.
- El nivel preescolar es muy divertido.The pre-k level is very fun.
Example conversation
Two parents are talking about their children's education.
- LucíaDaniel, ¿ya inscribiste a tu hijo en preescolar?Daniel, did you already enroll your son in pre-k?
- DanielSí, Lucía, empieza el próximo mes.Yes, Lucía, it starts next month.
- Lucía¡Qué bien! Mi hija también va a preescolar.That's great! My daughter is also going to pre-k.
- DanielEntonces los niños serán compañeros de clase.Then the children will be classmates.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry preescolar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries preescolar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
