I got my ba vs i received my ba

Question

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?

Aurélie Drouard · Accepted 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 Cole · Answer

Bonne Année à vous aussi, and thank you for your reply.  Yes it makes sense now

Jennifer Cole · Answer

Bonne Année à vous aussi, and thank you for your reply.  Yes it makes sense now

Elizabeth B · Answer

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 Keith · Answer

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 Keith · Answer

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 Keith · Answer

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