Alma mater
Meaning: The college or university from which a person graduated.
'My alma mater' is how Americans refer to their college with affection and loyalty. Alma mater (Latin for 'nourishing mother') reflects the deep emotional bond Americans feel with their university. 'She visited her alma mater' means she returned to campus. Alumni wear alma mater gear, donate to alma mater funds, and root for alma mater sports teams for life. The relationship between an American and their alma mater is more like a lifelong membership than just a place where they studied.
Examples
- I try to visit my alma mater every homecoming weekend. 我每年都尽量在返校周末去母校看看。Intento visitar mi alma máter cada fin de semana de homecoming.毎年ホームカミングの週末に母校を訪れるようにしている。매년 홈커밍 주말에 모교를 방문하려고 한다.
- She donates to her alma mater every year — Go Wildcats! 她每年都给母校捐款——Go Wildcats!Ella dona a su alma máter todos los años — ¡Go Wildcats!彼女は毎年母校に寄付している——Go Wildcats!그녀는 매년 모교에 기부한다 — Go Wildcats!
- My alma mater is a small liberal arts college in Vermont. 我的母校是佛蒙特州一所小型文理学院。Mi alma máter es una pequeña universidad de artes liberales en Vermont.私の母校はバーモント州にある小さなリベラルアーツカレッジだ。내 모교는 버몬트에 있는 작은 리버럴아츠 칼리지다.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: alumni, college, identity
Tone: affectionate, loyal
✓ Do Say
- Where is your alma mater?你的母校在哪里?¿Dónde queda tu alma máter?母校はどこ?모교가 어디야?
- I love my alma mater.我爱我的母校。Amo mi alma máter.母校が大好きだ。나는 내 모교를 사랑해.
✗ Don't Say
- Not everyone has fond memories of their alma mater — respect varied experiences.不是每个人都对母校有美好的回忆——尊重不同的经历。No todo el mundo tiene buenos recuerdos de su alma máter — respeta las experiencias diversas.母校にいい思い出があるとは限らない——さまざまな経験を尊重しよう。모든 사람이 모교에 좋은 추억을 가진 건 아니다 — 다양한 경험을 존중하자.
Origin & History
From Latin 'alma mater' (nourishing mother). Used by American universities since the colonial era. The alma mater loyalty culture is distinctly American.
Cultural Context
Era: 1700s–present
Generation: All generations
Social background: Universal
Regional notes: All regions
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