profesor universitario
/pɾofesoɾ unibeɾsitaɾjo/from spelling rules
The English phrase university professor is profesor universitario in Spanish.
profesor universitario is a general term for any university teacher. In many Spanish-speaking contexts, the word profesor alone is often used to refer to a university teacher without needing to specify universitario.
Which one should you use?
While profesor universitario is a general term, catedrático specifically refers to a high-ranking, tenured professor.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase must agree in gender with the person being described, using the feminine forms profesora universitaria for a female professor.
How do you pronounce it?
/pɾofesoɾ unibeɾsitaɾjo/
Did you know?
- The term catedrático comes from the word cátedra, which refers to the physical chair of a professor.
- Unlike in some English-speaking universities where 'Professor' is a formal title used as a name, Spanish students often address their profesor universitario as doctor if they hold a PhD.
- In Spanish, profesor can be used for any teacher from primary school to university, but in English 'professor' is strictly reserved for higher education.
Examples in context
- Era un antiguo profesor universitario e investigador.He was a former university professor and researcher.This sentence is useful for describing a former career as a profesor universitario.Tatoeba #803582 by Munia, translation #803339 by Source_VOA
- El profesor universitario explicó detalladamente los conceptos de la teoría económica.The university professor explained the concepts of economic theory in detail.
- El catedrático de física dirige diferentes proyectos de investigación en la universidad.The physics professor directs different research projects at the university.
- Hoy tuve una excelente clase con el profesor de matemáticas. Es muy claro en sus explicaciones.Today I had an excellent class with the math professor. He is very clear in his explanations.
- Voy a hablar con el profe para pedirle una extensión en la entrega del trabajo.I am going to talk to the prof to ask for an extension on the assignment submission.
- Mi hermano es un profesor universitario muy respetado.My brother is a very respected university professor.
Example conversation
Sofía and Daniel are discussing Daniel's career choices.
- Sofía¿Quieres ser profesor universitario como tu padre?Do you want to be a university professor like your father?
- DanielSí, me gustaría mucho ser profesor universitario.Yes, I would really like to be a university professor.
- SofíaSerías un profesor universitario excelente, Daniel.You would be an excellent university professor, Daniel.
- DanielGracias, Sofía, espero lograrlo algún día.Thank you, Sofía, I hope to achieve it someday.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
