French word

baccalauréat

Pronunciation

IPA/bakaloʁea/

Meaning

  • masculine nounhigh school diploma

Example

Il a eu son baccalauréat hier.

He got his high school diploma yesterday.

Illustration for baccalauréat (high school diploma)

More examples

Elle va passer le baccalauréat l'année prochaine.

She is going to take the baccalaureate exam next year.

Core concept

A nationally recognized finish line for secondary school that also functions as a gateway to further education.

Common phrases

  • passer le baccalauréat

    take the baccalaureate exam

  • réussir son baccalauréat

    pass one's baccalaureate exam

  • obtenir le baccalauréat

    earn the baccalaureate

Similar words

bac: A commonly used conversational abbreviation for the French school-leaving qualification.
diplôme: A formal document confirming an educational or examination achievement.

Definition in French

Diplôme français obtenu à la fin du lycée, sanctionnant la réussite à un examen national et ouvrant souvent l'accès aux études supérieures.

Word origin

The word is based on medieval Latin baccalaureatus, an academic degree name, whose meaning in French became associated with the secondary-school examination and diploma.

Usage tips

  • The phrase "passer le bac" means to sit or take the baccalauréat, not necessarily to pass it; success is expressed with "réussir le bac".

Other meanings

  • university entrance qualificationnoun
  • high school graduation examnoun
  • baccalaureatenoun

Related words

  • bachelierbaccalaureate holdernoun

Word lists with this word