licenciado
Mi hermano es licenciado en Derecho.
My brother is a law graduate.
A person who has completed a university degree, typically a bachelor's degree.
Se graduó como licenciado en Administración de Empresas.
He graduated as a business administration graduate.
La licenciatura en Medicina dura seis años.
The medical degree lasts six years.
In Spain and some Latin American countries, 'licenciado' historically refers to a bachelor's degree, while 'graduado' may refer to a more practical or shorter program. In Mexico, 'licenciado' is often used for law graduates specifically.
In some contexts, a person with a law degree (equivalent to 'lawyer').
Consulté con un licenciado sobre el contrato.
I consulted with a lawyer about the contract.
Common in Latin American legal contexts, where 'licenciado' can denote a lawyer, especially in Mexico.
Historically, a person who held a license or permission to practice a profession.
En la Edad Media, el licenciado era quien tenía licencia para enseñar.
In the Middle Ages, the licensed person was the one who had permission to teach.
This meaning is archaic and rarely used today outside of historical texts.
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Pro Tip
Avoid confusion with 'licencia'
'Licenciado' is a person with a degree, while 'licencia' means 'license' (e.g., a driver's license). They are not interchangeable.
Gold Rule
Use 'licenciado' for university graduates
Use 'licenciado' to refer to someone who has completed a bachelor's degree in Spain or Latin America. Do not use it for high school graduates or non-degree holders.
Word Origin
From Latin 'licentiatus', meaning 'one who has a license or permission', derived from 'licentia' (license, permission). The term evolved to denote someone who has completed a university degree, as universities historically granted licenses to teach.
Usage Notes
In Spain, 'licenciado' traditionally refers to a bachelor's degree holder, while 'doctor' is used for PhD holders. In Latin America, the term is more commonly used across professions. Avoid using 'licenciado' to refer to a high school graduate, as it specifically denotes a university degree.