At the A1 level, the word 'graduação' is a bit advanced, but you might encounter it when talking about your life or studies. At this stage, you should simply recognize that it relates to university. You don't need to use it in complex ways. Think of it as the 'big school' level. You might say 'Eu estudo na universidade' (I study at the university) or 'Eu quero uma graduação' (I want a degree). It is important to start noticing the '-ção' ending, which sounds like a nasal 'sow'. This will help you identify many other Portuguese words later on. Even at A1, knowing that 'graduação' is feminine is a great win. You would say 'A graduação' and not 'O graduação'. You might see this word on a website or a poster for a school. Just remember: Graduação = University Degree Level. It's the first step after high school. In simple conversations, you can just use the word 'faculdade' (college), but 'graduação' is the official name of what you are doing there. If someone asks 'Você tem graduação?', they are asking if you finished college. You can answer 'Sim' or 'Não'. This is a very useful word for basic introductions in a professional setting, even if your Portuguese is still very basic. Learning it early helps you avoid the 'false friend' mistake where you might think it only means a party. It's about the study, not just the celebration. Keep it simple: Graduação is for university students.
At the A2 level, you should be able to use 'graduação' to describe your educational background in simple sentences. You are likely learning how to talk about the past and the present, so you can say 'Eu terminei minha graduação em 2020' (I finished my degree in 2020) or 'Eu estou fazendo minha graduação' (I am doing my degree). At this level, you should also understand the preposition 'em' that follows it. You don't just have a 'graduação', you have a 'graduação em [Subject]'. For example, 'graduação em Música' or 'graduação em TI'. You should also be able to distinguish 'graduação' from 'escola' (school). You are now moving beyond just 'learning Portuguese' and starting to talk about your professional life. When you look at job ads in Portuguese, you will see 'Exige-se graduação'. This is a key phrase for you to recognize. It means 'Degree required'. You can also start using adjectives with it, like 'minha primeira graduação' (my first degree). Remember to keep the agreement: 'graduação' is feminine, so use 'uma', 'a', 'minha', 'nossa'. If you are talking to a friend about their studies, you can ask 'Como vai a sua graduação?' (How is your degree going?). This shows a better command of vocabulary than just using 'escola'. You are starting to sound more like an adult speaker of the language. This word is very common in the lives of young adults, so using it correctly will help you fit in with university-aged people or in office environments.
At the B1 level, you can handle more nuanced discussions about 'graduação'. You understand that it’s not just one thing; there are different types like 'bacharelado' and 'licenciatura'. You can explain why you chose your specific 'graduação' and what you plan to do after you finish it. You might say, 'Eu escolhi a graduação em Psicologia porque gosto de ajudar as pessoas' (I chose the degree in Psychology because I like helping people). You are also becoming aware of the difference between 'graduação' and 'formatura' (the ceremony). You can tell a story about your time at the university: 'Durante a minha graduação, eu trabalhei como estagiário' (During my degree, I worked as an intern). This shows you can use the word as a temporal marker. You should also be comfortable with the plural 'graduações' when discussing the education system in general. For instance, 'As graduações no Brasil costumam durar quatro anos' (Degrees in Brazil usually last four years). At B1, you can also start using the word in the context of martial arts or other ranking systems if that’s an interest of yours. You understand that the word implies a 'grade' or 'step'. In a professional interview, you can talk about your 'formação' and use 'graduação' as a specific detail within that formation. You are now able to read university websites and understand the requirements for enrollment. You know that 'trancar a graduação' means to pause your studies, and 'concluir a graduação' means to finish them. This level of vocabulary allows for much more meaningful interaction with native speakers in academic or professional settings.
At the B2 level, you use 'graduação' with confidence in both formal and informal contexts. You can debate the value of a 'graduação' in the modern job market, discussing whether it is still necessary or if technical skills are more important. You might say, 'Hoje em dia, apenas a graduação não é suficiente; é preciso ter uma pós-graduação ou especialização' (Nowadays, just an undergraduate degree isn't enough; it's necessary to have a post-grad or specialization). You are comfortable with academic terminology like 'créditos da graduação', 'currículo de graduação', and 'trabalho de conclusão de graduação'. You can understand complex news articles about education policy, such as 'O governo anunciou novas cotas para a graduação nas universidades federais' (The government announced new quotas for undergraduate degrees in federal universities). Your pronunciation of the nasal '-ção' is now clear and accurate. You can also use the word metaphorically or in technical senses, such as the 'graduação de cores' (gradation of colors) in art or design, although the academic sense remains the most frequent. You understand the socio-economic implications of having a 'graduação' in Lusophone countries, where it is often a major factor in social mobility. You can write a formal letter or an essay discussing your 'trajetória acadêmica' (academic trajectory), highlighting the challenges you faced during your 'graduação'. You are also able to advise others on which 'curso de graduação' might be best for them based on their interests. This level of mastery means you don't just know the word; you know the culture and the system that surrounds it.
At the C1 level, your use of 'graduação' is sophisticated and precise. You can use it in academic writing or high-level professional environments without hesitation. You understand the historical development of 'graduação' programs in the Portuguese-speaking world, including the impact of the Bologna Process in Portugal or the expansion of private universities in Brazil. You can use phrases like 'políticas de acesso à graduação' (policies for access to undergraduate education) or 'qualidade do ensino de graduação' (quality of undergraduate teaching). You are aware of the subtle differences in register; you know when to use 'graduação' to sound authoritative and when to use 'faculdade' to sound relatable. You can analyze the 'graduação' as a social construct and discuss its role in reproducing or challenging social inequalities. In a professional setting, you can lead a meeting about 'requisitos de graduação' for new hires or discuss 'parcerias entre a empresa e a graduação' (partnerships between the company and the undergraduate program). You can also use the word in its less common meanings, such as in mathematics or physics, referring to the 'graduação de uma escala' (graduation of a scale). Your linguistic competence allows you to play with the word, using it in irony or complex metaphors. You understand the nuances of 'revalidação de graduação' for those who studied abroad. At this level, the word is a tool that you use with full awareness of its semantic range and cultural weight. You can read and write academic papers that use 'graduação' as a primary category of analysis.
At the C2 level, you have a near-native or native-like command of the word 'graduação'. You can appreciate its etymological roots and how it relates to other words in the 'grad-' family (grade, gradual, gradiente). You can engage in high-level philosophical or sociological discourse about the 'massificação da graduação' (massification of undergraduate degrees) and its impact on the 'valor simbólico do diploma' (symbolic value of the diploma). You can navigate the most complex bureaucratic documents regarding 'reconhecimento de graduação' across international borders with ease. You are capable of using the word in literary contexts, perhaps describing the 'graduação das sombras' in a poem or a novel. Your understanding of the word is not just functional; it is intellectual and aesthetic. You can discuss the 'reforma do ensino de graduação' with experts, providing insights into pedagogical models. You notice when the word is used slightly incorrectly by others and can explain why. You are comfortable with all idiomatic expressions and technical applications of the term. For you, 'graduação' is not just a vocabulary item; it is a concept that you can manipulate and examine from multiple angles. Whether you are discussing the 'graduação de lentes' in optometry or the 'graduação de oficiais' in the military, you do so with precision. You have reached a level where the word is part of your natural thought process in Portuguese, and you can switch between its various meanings and registers seamlessly. You are a master of the language's nuances.

graduação 30초 만에

  • Graduação is the Portuguese term for an undergraduate degree program, encompassing bachelor's and teaching degrees.
  • It is a feminine noun (a graduação) and should not be confused with the ceremony, which is 'formatura'.
  • Commonly used with the preposition 'em' to specify the field of study, such as 'graduação em Medicina'.
  • It represents the first tier of higher education, followed by 'pós-graduação' (master's, PhD, or specialization).
The word graduação is a cornerstone of the Portuguese academic vocabulary, specifically referring to the pursuit or completion of an undergraduate degree. While in English, the word 'graduation' often evokes the image of a cap and gown ceremony, in Portuguese, graduação is more focused on the educational level itself—the undergraduate stage of higher education. It encompasses various types of degrees, such as the bacharelado (bachelor's), licenciatura (teaching degree), and tecnólogo (associate/technical degree). Understanding this word is essential for anyone navigating the professional or academic landscape in Lusophone countries, as it defines one's primary level of qualification.
Academic Level
In the Brazilian and Portuguese education systems, graduação is the first step after finishing high school (ensino médio). It is the foundation upon which all further specialization, known as pós-graduação, is built. Without a completed graduação, one cannot pursue a Master's or Doctorate.

Eu finalmente terminei minha graduação em Engenharia Civil após cinco anos de muito estudo e dedicação na universidade federal.

People use this word frequently during job interviews, when filling out official forms, or when discussing their educational background with new acquaintances. It serves as a formal marker of professional readiness. In a social context, saying 'Estou fazendo graduação' implies a serious commitment to a long-term academic goal. Historically, the term derives from the Latin 'gradus', meaning step, signifying that the student has reached a new 'step' or 'grade' in their intellectual development. This sense of progression is vital; it’s not just about the end result, but the structured path taken to achieve it.
Professional Context
Employers often list 'graduação completa' (completed undergraduate degree) as a mandatory requirement for entry-level and mid-level corporate positions. It serves as a filter for specialized knowledge and persistence.

A empresa exige graduação em Administração ou áreas correlatas para esta vaga de analista júnior.

Furthermore, the word appears in the context of martial arts and military ranks, though its most common daily usage remains academic. When a student chooses a 'curso de graduação', they are selecting their major. This choice is often seen as a life-defining moment in Brazilian culture, celebrated by family and friends. The journey through a graduação involves not just lectures, but also 'estágios' (internships) and the dreaded 'TCC' (Trabalho de Conclusão de Curso), which is the final thesis required to earn the title.
Daily Life
Young adults often spend their early twenties focused entirely on their graduação, which shapes their social circles and future career paths. It is a period of intense intellectual and personal growth.

Muitos estudantes trabalham durante o dia e fazem sua graduação à noite para pagar as mensalidades.

A graduação em Medicina é uma das mais concorridas e longas do país, exigindo seis anos de estudo integral.

Depois da graduação, pretendo fazer um intercâmbio para aprimorar meu inglês antes de entrar no mercado.

Using graduação correctly requires understanding its grammatical placement as a feminine noun. It is almost always preceded by the definite article 'a' or the indefinite article 'uma'. When talking about the subject of study, we use the preposition 'em'. For example, 'graduação em Direito' (degree in Law). It is also common to see it paired with adjectives like 'completa' (completed) or 'incompleta' (incomplete) on resumes. The versatility of the word allows it to function as the subject of a sentence, the object of a verb, or part of a prepositional phrase.
As a Subject
When the word starts the sentence, it often describes the general state or requirement of a situation. For instance: 'A graduação é um requisito para este cargo.'

Sua graduação foi fundamental para que ele conseguisse a promoção tão desejada no banco.

In more formal writing, you will see phrases like 'nível de graduação' (undergraduate level). This is used to distinguish between different tiers of education. For example, a research project might be restricted to students at the 'nível de graduação'. Additionally, the word is often used with verbs like 'concluir' (to conclude), 'trancar' (to put on hold/freeze), or 'cursar' (to be enrolled in/taking).
Verb Pairings
Common verbs include: Concluir a graduação (To finish the degree), Cursar a graduação (To be studying for the degree), and Iniciar a graduação (To start the degree).

Ela decidiu trancar a graduação por um semestre para viajar e ganhar experiência de vida na Europa.

In technical or administrative contexts, you might encounter the plural form 'graduações'. This is used when referring to multiple degrees or different types of undergraduate programs offered by an institution. For instance, 'A universidade oferece diversas graduações na área de saúde.' This highlights the diversity of programs available. It is also important to note the distinction between 'graduação' and 'pós-graduação'. While 'graduação' is the first degree, 'pós-graduação' refers to anything after, including specializations, Master's (mestrado), and PhDs (doutorado).
Formal Correspondence
In cover letters, you might write: 'Possuo graduação em Comunicação Social pela Universidade de São Paulo', which is a standard, professional way to state your education.

O edital do concurso exige que o candidato apresente o diploma de graduação no ato da posse.

Durante minha graduação, participei de vários projetos de extensão voltados para a comunidade carente.

A graduação a distância (EAD) tem crescido muito no Brasil nos últimos anos devido à sua flexibilidade.

You will hear graduação in a wide variety of settings, ranging from formal academic environments to casual conversations about future plans. On a university campus, it is the standard term used by administrators, professors, and students alike. You'll see signs for the 'Secretaria de Graduação' (Undergraduate Office) or hear announcements about 'bolsas de graduação' (undergraduate scholarships). In these contexts, the word carries a weight of authority and official status.
At the University
Professors often distinguish between their 'alunos de graduação' and 'alunos de pós-graduação'. The expectations and curriculum for each group are vastly different, making the distinction vital.

O coordenador da graduação enviou um e-mail sobre as novas datas das provas finais.

In the corporate world, recruiters use the term constantly. During an interview, they might ask, 'Qual é a sua graduação?' or 'Onde você fez sua graduação?'. Here, they are looking for your educational credentials. It is also found in government statistics and news reports discussing the state of education in the country. For example, a news anchor might say, 'O número de brasileiros com graduação aumentou na última década', referring to the percentage of the population with a college degree.
In the Media
News outlets often report on the 'valorização da graduação' (the valuing of the degree) in the job market, discussing whether a degree still guarantees a high salary.

A reportagem mostrou que ter uma graduação ainda é o principal fator de aumento salarial no Brasil.

At home, parents might encourage their children by saying, 'Você precisa focar na sua graduação'. It is viewed as a ticket to a better life and social mobility. Even in casual settings, like a bar or a party, people might ask each other, 'O que você faz de graduação?' as a way to get to know someone's interests and career path. It is a social identifier.
Social Settings
Young people often identify themselves by their major: 'Eu sou da graduação de História'. It creates a sense of belonging to a specific intellectual community.

Na festa, conheci várias pessoas que faziam a mesma graduação que eu, mas em universidades diferentes.

O museu oferece desconto na entrada para estudantes de graduação que apresentarem a carteirinha.

Meu pai sempre disse que a graduação é o maior patrimônio que alguém pode ter.

One of the most frequent errors English speakers make when learning Portuguese is a 'false friend' confusion between graduação and 'graduation'. In English, 'graduation' is primarily the ceremony (the party, the stage, the diploma handing). In Portuguese, if you say 'Eu vou para a minha graduação' to mean you are going to the party, people will understand you, but it sounds slightly off. The correct word for the ceremony is formatura. Use graduação for the academic degree or the period of study.
Graduação vs. Formatura
Mistake: 'Minha graduação é amanhã às 20h' (Meaning the party). Correct: 'Minha formatura é amanhã às 20h'. 'Graduação' is the status; 'Formatura' is the event.

Não confunda: a graduação dura anos, mas a formatura dura apenas algumas horas.

Another common mistake is using 'graduação' to refer to high school completion. In Portuguese, finishing high school is 'conclusão do ensino médio'. Graduação is strictly for higher education (university level). Using it for high school will cause significant confusion about your actual education level. Additionally, students often forget that 'graduação' is a feminine noun. They might say 'meu graduação' instead of 'minha graduação'. Always pair it with feminine articles and adjectives.
Gender Agreement
Incorrect: 'O graduação dele foi difícil'. Correct: 'A graduação dele foi difícil'. The ending '-ção' is your best friend for identifying feminine words.

Muitos estrangeiros erram ao dizer 'meu graduação', esquecendo que palavras terminadas em 'ção' são femininas.

Finally, avoid overusing 'graduação' when 'faculdade' (college) or 'curso' (course) might be more natural in casual conversation. While 'graduação' is correct, saying 'Eu estou no curso de Arquitetura' is often more common than 'Eu estou na graduação de Arquitetura' in a relaxed setting. 'Graduação' is perfect for resumes and formal inquiries, but can sound a bit stiff in a bar.
Register and Tone
Formal: 'Candidato com graduação em Economia'. Informal: 'Ele faz Economia'. Using 'graduação' in the wrong register isn't 'wrong', but it marks you as a learner.

Ao preencher o currículo, use sempre o termo graduação para descrever seu nível acadêmico.

É um erro comum pensar que graduação se refere ao ensino médio; ela é apenas para o ensino superior.

Não use graduação para falar da festa; para isso, a palavra certa é formatura.

To sound more like a native, it is helpful to know the synonyms and related terms for graduação. The most common alternative is curso superior (higher course). This is a broad term that covers any university-level education. Another specific term is bacharelado, which refers specifically to a bachelor's degree (usually 4-5 years). If you are studying to be a teacher, your degree is a licenciatura.
Bacharelado vs. Licenciatura
A 'bacharelado' prepares you for the general market (e.g., Biology researcher), while a 'licenciatura' specifically qualifies you to teach that subject in schools.

Ele optou pelo bacharelado, mas sua irmã preferiu a licenciatura para poder dar aulas de História na graduação.

In Portugal, the word licenciatura is often used where Brazilians would use graduação. Since the Bologna Process, a licenciatura in Portugal typically lasts 3 years. Another related term is tecnólogo, which is a shorter, more practical undergraduate degree (2-3 years) focused on specific market needs.
Tecnólogo
Often confused with technical high school, a 'tecnólogo' is actually a full 'graduação' level degree, allowing the student to pursue post-graduate studies later.

Muitos profissionais escolhem o curso de tecnólogo por ser uma graduação mais rápida e focada no mercado de trabalho.

When discussing the hierarchy of education, remember the sequence: Ensino Médio (High School) -> Graduação (Undergraduate) -> Pós-graduação (Graduate/Post-grad). Within 'pós-graduação', you have 'Especialização' (Lato Sensu) and 'Mestrado/Doutorado' (Stricto Sensu). Knowing these distinctions helps you place 'graduação' in its proper context.
Summary of Alternatives
1. Licenciatura (Specific/PT focus); 2. Bacharelado (General/BR focus); 3. Formação Acadêmica (Formal/Resume); 4. Ensino Superior (General category).

A formação acadêmica dele inclui uma graduação em Letras e um mestrado em Linguística Aplicada.

O ensino superior no Brasil é dividido entre cursos de graduação e cursos sequenciais.

Para quem busca uma carreira acadêmica, a graduação é apenas o primeiro passo de uma longa jornada.

수준별 예문

1

Eu quero fazer uma graduação.

I want to do a degree.

Feminine noun 'uma graduação'.

2

A graduação é difícil?

Is the degree difficult?

Subject-verb agreement.

3

Minha irmã tem graduação.

My sister has a degree.

Possessive 'minha' (feminine).

4

Onde é a sua graduação?

Where is your degree (program)?

Question word 'onde'.

5

Eu estudo para a graduação.

I study for the degree.

Preposition 'para'.

6

Ela gosta da graduação.

She likes the degree (program).

Contraction 'da' (de + a).

7

A graduação é em Direito.

The degree is in Law.

Preposition 'em' for subject.

8

Não tenho graduação ainda.

I don't have a degree yet.

Adverb 'ainda' (yet).

1

Vou concluir minha graduação no ano que vem.

I will finish my degree next year.

Future with 'vou + infinitive'.

2

Qual graduação você está fazendo?

Which degree are you doing?

Interrogative 'qual'.

3

Ele trabalha e faz graduação à noite.

He works and does a degree at night.

Time expression 'à noite'.

4

Ela precisa de uma graduação para o emprego.

She needs a degree for the job.

Verb 'precisar de'.

5

A graduação dele é em Biologia.

His degree is in Biology.

Possessive 'dele' (his).

6

Nós amamos nossa graduação.

We love our degree (program).

Possessive 'nossa' (feminine plural agreement).

7

Muitos jovens buscam a graduação.

Many young people seek a degree.

Noun 'jovens' (young people).

8

A graduação a distância é muito prática.

Distance learning degree is very practical.

Compound term 'a distância'.

1

Durante a graduação, fiz muitos amigos.

During the degree, I made many friends.

Preposition 'durante'.

2

Você já pensou em trancar a graduação?

Have you ever thought about freezing your degree?

Verb 'trancar' in academic context.

3

A graduação exige muita leitura e pesquisa.

The degree requires a lot of reading and research.

Third person singular 'exige'.

4

Minha graduação foi a melhor época da minha vida.

My degree was the best time of my life.

Superlative 'a melhor'.

5

Ele desistiu da graduação para abrir um negócio.

He gave up on the degree to start a business.

Verb 'desistir de'.

6

A universidade oferece várias graduações interessantes.

The university offers several interesting degrees.

Plural 'graduações'.

7

Minha mãe se orgulha da minha graduação.

My mother is proud of my degree.

Reflexive 'se orgulha'.

8

O diploma de graduação é reconhecido pelo MEC.

The undergraduate diploma is recognized by the Ministry of Education.

Passive voice 'é reconhecido'.

1

A graduação em Engenharia costuma ser bem puxada.

A degree in Engineering tends to be quite demanding.

Colloquial adjective 'puxada' (hard/demanding).

2

Muitos alunos de graduação participam de projetos de iniciação científica.

Many undergraduate students participate in scientific initiation projects.

Compound noun 'iniciação científica'.

3

A graduação é apenas o alicerce da sua carreira profissional.

The degree is just the foundation of your professional career.

Metaphorical use of 'alicerce'.

4

O mercado valoriza quem tem graduação em universidades renomadas.

The market values those who have a degree from renowned universities.

Relative pronoun 'quem'.

5

Ela optou por uma graduação tecnológica para entrar logo no mercado.

She opted for a technological degree to enter the market quickly.

Adjective 'tecnológica' modifying 'graduação'.

6

O custo da graduação tem subido consideravelmente nos últimos anos.

The cost of the degree has risen considerably in recent years.

Present perfect 'tem subido'.

7

Não basta ter a graduação, é preciso ter experiência prática.

It's not enough to have the degree; you need practical experience.

Impersonal 'é preciso'.

8

A graduação sanduíche permite estudar um tempo no exterior.

The 'sandwich' degree allows studying for a while abroad.

Idiomatic 'graduação sanduíche'.

1

A evasão escolar no nível de graduação é um problema estrutural.

Dropout rates at the undergraduate level are a structural problem.

Formal noun 'evasão'.

2

O currículo da graduação foi reformulado para atender às novas demandas.

The undergraduate curriculum was redesigned to meet new demands.

Passive 'foi reformulado'.

3

A graduação deve fomentar o pensamento crítico, não apenas a técnica.

Undergraduate education should foster critical thinking, not just technique.

Modal verb 'deve'.

4

A interdisciplinaridade na graduação enriquece a formação do aluno.

Interdisciplinarity in undergraduate studies enriches the student's formation.

Abstract noun 'interdisciplinaridade'.

5

O acesso à graduação foi democratizado por meio de políticas públicas.

Access to undergraduate education was democratized through public policies.

Prepositional phrase 'por meio de'.

6

A graduação em Filosofia exige uma profunda capacidade de abstração.

A degree in Philosophy requires a deep capacity for abstraction.

Adjective 'profunda'.

7

Houve uma expansão desenfreada das graduações privadas no país.

There was an unbridled expansion of private degrees in the country.

Adjective 'desenfreada'.

8

A graduação é o momento de consolidar os conhecimentos fundamentais.

Undergraduate study is the time to consolidate fundamental knowledge.

Verb 'consolidar'.

1

A ontologia da graduação mudou com a revolução digital do ensino.

The ontology of undergraduate education changed with the digital revolution in teaching.

Philosophical term 'ontologia'.

2

A graduação de cores na pintura renascentista é de uma sutileza ímpar.

The gradation of colors in Renaissance painting is of unique subtlety.

Technical use of 'graduação' for color.

3

O debate sobre a validade da graduação perpassa todas as esferas sociais.

The debate about the validity of the degree permeates all social spheres.

Verb 'perpassa'.

4

A graduação militar impõe uma hierarquia rígida e inquestionável.

Military rank imposes a rigid and unquestionable hierarchy.

Military context of 'graduação'.

5

A transição da graduação para o mercado é um rito de passagem complexo.

The transition from degree to the market is a complex rite of passage.

Noun 'rito de passagem'.

6

A graduação de dificuldades no teste foi meticulosamente planejada.

The graduation of difficulties in the test was meticulously planned.

Abstract use for 'ranking/scaling'.

7

A hermenêutica dos editais de graduação exige atenção redobrada.

The hermeneutics of undergraduate notices requires doubled attention.

Academic term 'hermenêutica'.

8

A graduação, enquanto instituição, enfrenta uma crise de identidade.

Undergraduate education, as an institution, faces an identity crisis.

Conjunction 'enquanto' (as/while).

도움이 되었나요?
아직 댓글이 없습니다. 첫 번째로 생각을 공유하세요!