diplôme universitaire
The English phrase 'university degree' is translated into French as diplôme universitaire.
diplôme universitaire refers to an academic qualification awarded by a university to a student who has completed a course of study. In many contexts where the academic setting is already understood, French speakers may shorten the phrase to simply un diplôme.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of diplôme, meaning degree or diploma and universitaire, which means university-related or academic.
Which one should you use?
While diplôme is the most common term for the physical certificate or the qualification, you may occasionally see un titre universitaire used to refer specifically to the academic title itself.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase is masculine, so the indefinite article un is used for 'a university degree'. To form the plural, both the noun and the adjective must take an 's', resulting in diplômes universitaires.
Did you know?
- To actually succeed in getting a diplôme, a student must obtenir or décrocher the degree, the latter being a colorful term meaning 'to unhook' it.
- The term grandes écoles refers to elite institutions that grant highly prestigious diplômes separate from the standard université system.
- The word diplôme shares its ancestor with the English word 'diplomat', as both stem from the Greek word for a folded or doubled sheet of paper.
Examples in context
- J'ai obtenu mon diplôme universitaire la semaine dernière!I received my university degree last week!
- Il a obtenu son diplôme universitaire en droit.He obtained his university degree in law.
- Quel diplôme universitaire possédez-vous ?What university degree do you hold?
- Ce diplôme universitaire est très reconnu.This university degree is very well-recognized.
Example conversation
Nathan and Manon are discussing their job applications.
- NathanEst-ce que tu as un diplôme universitaire ?Do you have a university degree?
- ManonOui, j'ai un diplôme universitaire en gestion.Yes, I have a university degree in management.
- NathanC'est parfait pour ce poste.That is perfect for this position.
- ManonJ'espère que cela m'aidera.I hope it will help me.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries diplôme, universitaire, CC BY-SA 4.0.
