carrera universitaria
/kareɾa unibeɾsitaɾja/from spelling rules
The English phrase "university major" is expressed in Spanish as carrera universitaria.
Carrera universitaria refers to the specific subject or field of study that a student chooses to specialize in while earning a college degree. To say you are "majoring in" something, it is natural to use the verb estudiar followed by una carrera de [subject] or simply estudiar [subject]. Common questions regarding this topic include ¿Cuál es tu carrera? (What is your major?) and ¿Qué estás estudiando? (What are you studying?). If you are discussing your choices, you might use the phrases Estoy indeciso/a (I'm undecided) or Estoy pensando en estudiar (I'm thinking about studying).
Which one should you use?
While English speakers distinguish between a 'major' (the subject) and a 'career' (the professional path), Spanish speakers often use carrera to refer to both the degree program and the professional field itself. Additionally, while carrera refers to the course of study, the term grado is often used to refer to the academic degree itself (e.g., tengo un grado en biología).
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Argentina, Uruguay and some other Latin American countries, "university major" can be referred to as Carrera de grado.
How do you pronounce it?
/kareɾa unibeɾsitaɾja/
Did you know?
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, the phrase estirar la carrera is used when a student takes much longer than the official duration to finish their degree.
- The word carrera is used for both a university major and a physical race, such as a marathon or a sprint.
- The word carrera comes from the Latin 'carrus', meaning 'wheeled vehicle' or 'chariot'.
Examples in context
- Mi carrera universitaria es Ingeniería Química.My university major is Chemical Engineering.
- Estoy estudiando Ingeniería Civil.I'm studying Civil Engineering.
- Voy a empezar mi grado en Psicología el próximo año.I'm going to start my university major in Psychology next year.
- Mi licenciatura es Derecho.My major is Law.
- Me encanta mi carrera universitaria. Estudio Arquitectura.I love my university major. I study Architecture.
- Estoy estudiando una especialización universitaria en Finanzas Internacionales.I'm studying a university major in International Finance.
- Mi carrera es Informática. Me apasiona la tecnología.My major is Computer Science. I'm passionate about technology.
- ¿Cuál es tu carrera universitaria favorita? Yo adoro la carrera de Biología.What is your favorite university major? I adore the Biology major.
- Su carrera universitaria es muy difícil.Her university major is very difficult.
- ¿Qué carrera universitaria quieres estudiar?What university major do you want to study?
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about their studies at a cafe.
- MaríaDaniel, ¿ya elegiste tu carrera universitaria?Daniel, have you chosen your university major yet?
- DanielSí, voy a estudiar medicina.Yes, I am going to study medicine.
- María¡Qué bien! Es una carrera muy noble.That's great! It is a very noble career.
- DanielGracias, María. ¿Y la tuya?Thanks, María. And yours?
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries carrera, CC BY-SA 4.0.
