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"University" in Portuguese: universidade

a universidade

Say it: oo-nee-vehr-see-DAH-jeefeminine · a universidadenoun/u.ni.veʁ.si.ˈda.dʒi/

Note: informal: a faculdade

University in Portuguese is a universidade. Informal Brazilian speech often says a faculdade. Say Estudo na universidade.

Intro

Ela estuda na universidade federal da cidade.
She studies at the city’s federal university.
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How to pronounce universidade

Say it

oo-nee-vehr-see-DAH-jee

/u.ni.veʁ.si.ˈda.dʒi/

oo-nee-vehr-see-DAH-jee

"University" in Portuguese: quick reference

PortugueseEnglish
a universidadethe university

Default noun.

na universidadeat university

Location.

a faculdadecollege / uni (informal)

Everyday BR synonym.

universidade públicapublic university

System talk.

How to use universidade in real life

  1. 1Intro

    Ela estuda na universidade federal da cidade.

    She studies at the city’s federal university.

    Public uni.

  2. 2Commute

    O ônibus da universidade sai lotado.

    The university bus leaves packed.

    Campus life.

  3. 3Plans

    Quero trocar de universidade no próximo ano.

    I want to switch universities next year.

    Transfer.

Mistakes English speakers make with universidade

Incorrect: Estudo na university.

Correct: Estudo na universidade.

Use universidade, not English university.

Incorrect: O universidade é longe.

Correct: A universidade é longe.

Universidade is feminine.

Good to know

Faculdade is the casual label for uni studies in Brazil, even when the institution is a universidade. Vestibular exams and public federal unis dominate student talk.

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Campus directions

  1. ChatPal

    A universidade fica depois da ponte?

    Is the university after the bridge?

  2. You

    Sim. A universidade tem três portarias.

    Yes. The university has three gates.

  3. ChatPal

    Entro pela portaria norte da universidade?

    Do I enter by the university’s north gate?

  4. You

    Isso. Eu te encontro lá.

    Yes. I’ll meet you there.

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"University" in other languages

FAQ

Common questions about "University" in Portuguese

University?

A universidade.

Informal?

A faculdade.

At university?

Na universidade.

Gender?

Feminine: a universidade.

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