Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| université | /y.ni.vɛʁ.si.te/ | feminine |
| fac | /fak/ | feminine |
| univ | /y.niv/ | feminine |
The term refers to an institution of higher education. While université describes the entire institution, the term fac is often used to refer to a student's specific place of study or their particular faculty, such as the faculty of law.
Which one should you use?
université refers to the institution as a whole, whereas fac is frequently used to denote a specific faculty or the student's particular department.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
université is the standard term. fac is an informal, colloquial shortening of faculté commonly used by students. Similarly, univ is an informal abbreviation.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Quebec, the informal abbreviation uni is used.
How does it change in a sentence?
Because université begins with a vowel, the definite article la undergoes elision to become l’ in the phrase l'université.
How do you pronounce it?
/y.ni.vɛʁ.si.te/
When do people say it?
In some African countries, such as Senegal, Ivory Coast or Cameroon, the term université is commonly used.
Did you know?
- The prestigious Grandes Écoles are separate from the université system and are often more selective and prestigious than traditional universities.
- In France, students often refer to their degree as a licence, which is a three-year undergraduate degree and not a professional permit.
- The term université shares a common ancestor with the English word 'universe', both stemming from the Latin 'universitas' meaning 'the whole'.
Examples in context
- Il va à l'université.He goes to university.This sentence shows how to use université to describe going to the institution.Tatoeba #132895 by Julien_PDC, translation #3628317 by MTC
- Il est à l'université.He is at university.This sentence shows how to use université to describe being at the institution.Tatoeba #131067 by sacredceltic, translation #291119 by MTC
- C'est une bonne université.This is a good university.This sentence shows how to use université to describe a quality of the institution.Tatoeba #11791795 by Zahia_Ntmazirt, translation #11791804 by Zahia_Ntmazirt
- L'université de ParisThe University of Paris
- Les établissements d'enseignement supérieur sont importantsHigher education establishments are important
- L'université est le lieu où l'on peut élargir ses connaissances.The university is a place where one can broaden their knowledge.
- 176 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Chloé and Hugo are discussing their future academic plans.
- ChloéTu vas dans quelle université ?Which university are you going to?
- HugoJe vais à l'université de Paris.I am going to the University of Paris.
- ChloéC'est une grande université.It is a large university.
- HugoOui, elle est très célèbre.Yes, it is very famous.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “university” translations and entries université, fac, univ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries fac, univ, université, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
