I got my ba vs i received my ba

Jennifer C.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

I got my ba vs i received my ba

In the lesson il,a eu so ba is translated as he got his ba but in the quiz as he received his ba. Are they the same. Received seems like an award ceremony but got more like passed?
Asked 7 years ago
AurélieNative French expert teacher in KwiziqCorrect answer
Bonjour Jennifer !

Yes, here we mean the same thing, as often passing an exam is equivalent to receiving the corresponding degree in English.
"In French, to say that you passed an exam (meaning succeeded in it), or that you received/got a degree, you can use the verb 'avoir' and the name of the exam or degree."

I hope that's helpful!
Bonne Année !
Jennifer C.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor
Bonne Année à vous aussi, and thank you for your reply. Yes it makes sense now
Jennifer C.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor
Bonne Année à vous aussi, and thank you for your reply. Yes it makes sense now
Elizabeth B.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

This is an old thread, but the same point struck me. In English, "receiving" your degree is used specifically for when the certificate is handed over to you i.e. usually the degree ceremony. Otherwise we would say "got". Is there really no difference between the two in French?

Peter K.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

This is a terrible translation. "No, he didn't earn his degree" implies he HAS got a degree but he didn't EARN it. That is, he bought it, or he cheated, or he had someone else take the exam for him.

Peter K.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

I should add "No, he didn't earn his degree" could also mean it's an honourary degree. He DOES have a degree but he didn't earn it

Peter K.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

I should add "No, he didn't earn his degree" could also mean it's an honourary degree. He DOES have a degree but he didn't earn it

I got my ba vs i received my ba

In the lesson il,a eu so ba is translated as he got his ba but in the quiz as he received his ba. Are they the same. Received seems like an award ceremony but got more like passed?

Sign in to submit your answer

Don't have an account yet? Join today

Ask a question

Find your French level for FREE

Test your French to the CEFR standard

Find your French level
Thinking...