alma
alma — noun
1. An informal term for the educational institution where a person once studied and
An informal term for the educational institution where a person once studied and remains connected to after leaving.
Diego still wears a sweatshirt from his alma and visits the campus every homecoming.
possessive + alma for one's former school
When Marta's alma built a new science center, she contributed to the fundraising campaign.
alma as subject of a clause
Naoko feels grateful to her alma for the scholarship that made her studies possible.
Every spring Vivek's alma sends him a magazine full of campus news.
- alma mater
the full formal phrase; 'alma' alone is a casual shortening used mainly in US college contexts
- school
much broader—can refer to any educational institution at any stage, not just one you graduated from
- university
specific to higher education; does not carry the personal, nostalgic tone of alma
文法句型
possessive + alma
one's + alma
用法筆記
Often used in possessive constructions (my alma, his alma, the university's alma). More formal contexts prefer the full phrase alma mater.
常見錯誤
2. A formal song that belongs to a learning institution and is customarily performe
A formal song that belongs to a learning institution and is customarily performed at graduation ceremonies, sports events, and other official gatherings.
The entire hall rose to sing the alma as the ceremony came to a close.
the + alma (definite article for a specific song)
Amihan still recalled every verse of her high school's alma years after graduating.
possessive + alma (referring to a specific institution's song)
The marching band struck up the alma while the football team ran onto the field.
At the reunion, alumni clapped and hummed as someone played the old alma on piano.
- school song
a general term; 'alma' specifically refers to the official, often traditional, song of a school or university
- fight song
a more lively, energetic song used at sports events; the alma is usually slower and more ceremonial
- hymn
a religious song; while some older alma songs have a hymn-like style, alma is strictly tied to an educational institution
文法句型
the + alma
possessive + alma
用法筆記
Not to be confused with fight song, which is more energetic and used at sporting events. The alma is typically slower, more dignified, and focuses on loyalty to the institution.