vocacional
/bokaθjoˈnal/
The Spanish word for "vocational" is vocacional.
vocacional is an adjective used to describe education that focuses on providing specific practical skills rather than purely academic knowledge.
Meaning: (of education) that provides a special skill rather than academic knowledge (adj)
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some Latin American countries, the term técnico is used interchangeably with vocacional or formativo.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective is invariable in gender, meaning it stays the same for both masculine and feminine nouns. The plural form is created by adding -es to the end.
How do you pronounce it?
/bokaθjoˈnal/
Did you know?
- If you describe someone as having vocación de mando, you are not talking about their education, but rather saying they have a natural 'instinct for command' or leadership.
- The adjective vocacional shares its roots with the Latin vocō, meaning 'to call'. This implies that a person's career is seen as a 'calling' rather than just a job.
- While in English 'vocation' often implies a religious calling, in Spanish, vocación is frequently used in secular contexts to describe a person's natural aptitude or passion for a specific profession.
Examples in context
- Estoy estudiando en una escuela vocacional.I am studying at a vocational school.
- Ofrecen cursos de formación profesional.They offer vocational training courses.
- Mi primo está buscando orientación ocupacional.My cousin is looking for career guidance.
- Mi hermano decidió seguir una formación de oficios.My brother decided to pursue vocational training in trades.
- Ella está realizando un curso profesionalizante en gastronomía.She is taking a vocational course in gastronomy.
- Busco un centro de formación vocacional.I am looking for a vocational training center.
- La educación vocacional es muy útil hoy en día.Vocational education is very useful nowadays.
- Él prefiere el aprendizaje vocacional a la universidad.He prefers vocational learning over university.
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing their plans after high school.
- Alejandro¿Vas a ir a la universidad, Lucía?Are you going to university, Lucía?
- LucíaNo, prefiero un curso vocacional de carpintería.No, I prefer a vocational carpentry course.
- AlejandroEs una buena idea para aprender un oficio.It is a good idea to learn a trade.
- LucíaSí, quiero tener una habilidad práctica pronto.Yes, I want to have a practical skill soon.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry vocacional, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries vocacional, CC BY-SA 4.0.
