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"Carrera" is a noun which is often translated as "race", and "profesión" is a noun which is often translated as "profession". Learn more about the difference between "carrera" and "profesión" below.
la carrera(
kah
-
rreh
-
rah
)A feminine noun is almost always used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., la mujer bonita, la luna llena).
1. (sports)
a. race
¿Quieres participar en una carrera conmigo en abril?Do you want to enter a race with me in April?
El corredor nigeriano ganó la carrera por un pelo.The Nigerian runner won the race by a hair.
2. (profession)
a. career
Rivas recibió muchos premios durante su carrera como policía.Rivas got many awards during his career as a policeman.
3. (education)
a. degree
Lily piensa seguir la carrera de biología.Lily is thinking of doing her degree in biology.
b. major (United States)
Regionalism used in the United States
Rita está haciendo la carrera de psicología en la UNAM.Rita is pursuing a psychology major at UNAM.
c. studies
Después de terminar la carrera, voy a irme a Cancún y pasar tres meses en la playa.After finishing my studies, I'm going to go to Cancun and spend three months on the beach.
4. (activity)
5. (path)
a. route
¿Qué carrera tomaron las carrozas en el desfile?What route did the floats in the parade follow?
b. course (of a star or planet)
Los sacerdotes egipcios habían identificado la carrera del sol.Egyptian priests had identified the course of the sun.
a. run (United States)
Regionalism used in the United States
No puedo creer que esta media ya tiene una carrera.I can't believe this stocking already has a run in it.
b. ladder (United Kingdom)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
Córtate las uñas antes de ponerte las medias o te saldrá una carrera.Cut your fingernails before you put on your stockings or you'll make a ladder in them.
a. street
Lola vive en la carrera de San Jerónimo, en el centro de Madrid.Lola lives on San Jeronimo street, in downtown Madrid.
8. (knitting)
a. row
Me queda solo una carrera de puntos para terminar de tejer la bufanda.I only have one row of stitches left to finish knitting the scarf.
a. beam
Las carreras expuestas de la iglesia le dan un aspecto espacioso.The exposed beams in the church give it an airy feel.
10. (line in hair) (South America)
Regionalism used in South America: Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, and Venezuela
a. part (United States)
Regionalism used in the United States
Te ves bien con la carrera de ese lado.You look good with your part on that side.
b. parting (United Kingdom)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
La carrera al medio queda muy elegante.Center partings look very elegant.
11. (mechanics)
la profesión(
proh
-
feh
-
syohn
)A feminine noun is almost always used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., la mujer bonita, la luna llena).
1. (career)
a. profession
Ha ejercido la profesión de médico desde que se graduó hace 12 años.He has practiced the medical profession since he graduated 12 years ago.
b. occupation (on questionnaires and forms)
¿Cuál es su profesión? - Soy arquitecto.What is your occupation? - I'm an architect.
a. profession
Como no es creyente, rehusó hacer la profesión de fe.As a nonbeliever, he refused to recite the profession of faith.
b. declaration
La primera profesión de fe cristiana se hace en el bautismo.The first declaration of Christian faith is made during baptism.
a. taking of vows
La profesión de las novicias será el domingo en el convento.The novices' taking of vows will take place next Sunday in the convent.