universidade
/u.ni.veʁ.siˈda.d͡ʒi/feminine
The English word "university" is translated to Portuguese as universidade.
The word universidade refers to an institution of higher education. While universidade is the standard term for the institution itself, students often use the word faculdade to refer to their specific college, department or their studies in general.
Meaning: institution of higher education (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of universidade is universidades.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 6 syllables, with the stress on the 5th syllable: /u.ni.veʁ.siˈda.dʒi/.
Did you know?
- University students in Brazil often use the slang term bixo to refer to a freshman. The word literally means 'bug' or 'beast' and refers to the new students during initiation rites.
- In Portuguese, the word faculdade comes from the Latin word for 'ability' or 'power'. It describes the 'faculty' or mental capacity required to study a specific field of knowledge.
- In Portugal, the oldest university is the Universidade de Coimbra, which was founded in 1287. It is one of the oldest continuously operating universities in the world.
Examples in context
- Ele está na universidade.He is at university.This sentence shows how to say someone is currently at the university using universidade.Tatoeba #1245210 by Welton, translation #291119 by MTC
- Há uma universidade em Roma.There is a university in Rome.This sentence demonstrates how to state that a university exists in a specific location using universidade.Tatoeba #10689500 by carlosalberto, translation #10689496 by carlosalberto
- Ele trabalha na universidade.He works in the university.This sentence illustrates how to say someone works at the university using universidade.Tatoeba #3988521 by carlosalberto, translation #3406331 by Objectivesea
- Nós nos encontraremos na universidade mais tarde.We will meet at the university later.
- A instituição de ensino superior oferece diversos cursos de graduação.The university offers various undergraduate programs.
- Estou estudando na faculdade de medicina.I'm studying at the medical school/university.
- 271 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Gabriel and Beatriz are talking about their academic lives over coffee.
- GabrielVocê gosta da sua universidade, Beatriz?Do you like your university, Beatriz?
- BeatrizSim, a universidade é excelente.Yes, the university is excellent.
- GabrielOnde fica a sua universidade?Where is your university located?
- BeatrizA minha universidade fica no centro.My university is downtown.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “university” translations and entries universidade, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
