mejor graduado
/mexoɾ ɡɾadwado/from spelling rules
The English phrase "valedictorian" is translated into Spanish as mejor graduado.
The term refers to the number one student in a graduating class.
Meaning: no 1 student (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is a literal construction meaning "best graduate".
Which one should you use?
While mejor graduado focuses on being the best graduate, el primer puesto is often used to describe the student who holds the top rank in a class.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase changes gender to mejor graduada when referring to a female valedictorian.
How do you pronounce it?
/mexoɾ ɡɾadwado/
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, the person in el primer puesto may not be the one to give the farewell speech, as that role is often chosen by a vote of peers.
- In several Latin American countries, the student in el primer puesto is traditionally honored with a 'medalla de oro', or gold medal, during the graduation ceremony.
- The word mejor shares its roots with the English word 'ameliorate', which means to make something better.
Examples in context
- ¿Sabías que María será la primera de la clase?Did you know that María will be the valedictorian?
- Él es el mejor graduado de la escuela secundaria.He is the valedictorian of the high school.
- El mejor graduado dará un discurso en la ceremonia.The valedictorian will give a speech at the ceremony.
Example conversation
Daniel and Elena are talking about their high school graduation.
- DanielElena, ¿sabes quién es el mejor graduado?Elena, do you know who the valedictorian is?
- ElenaSí, es Luis, el chico de matemáticas.Yes, it's Luis, the math guy.
- DanielÉl dará el discurso como mejor graduado.He will give the speech as the valedictorian.
- ElenaSe lo merece por sus notas.He deserves it because of his grades.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries mejor, CC BY-SA 4.0.
