Using 'Dos' for 'Second'

Like many describing words in Spanish, 'segundo' changes to 'segunda' if the thing you're talking about is feminine. For example, 'el segundo libro' (the second book) but 'la segunda casa' (the second house).

Matches the Thing It Describes

This is your go-to word for talking about anything that comes after the first, whether it's a runner-up in a competition, the second stop on a bus route, or the second item on your to-do list.

Ordering and Ranking

Extremely common. One of the first numbers you'll learn for ordering things.

Just like in English, you can say 'un segundo' to ask someone to wait for a brief moment, even if you don't mean exactly one second. It's a friendly, common way to say 'hold on'.

More Than Just a Clock Tick

Extremely common, used daily in conversations about time.

When you see a 'menú del día' (menu of the day) in Spain, it's typically structured with a 'primero' (first course, often a soup or salad) and a 'segundo' (second course, the main protein dish). This is the word you'll use to order it.

Ordering Food in Spain

Common in restaurant settings, especially in Spain.

You're unlikely to hear this verb in a casual chat. It's almost exclusively for formal procedures like a board meeting, a debate, or a parliamentary session. For everyday support, use 'apoyar'.

For Formal Settings Only

Rare in everyday conversation. Mostly used in formal or official contexts.

Learn the multiple meanings of 'segundo' in Spanish. Understand its use as the ordinal number 'second', the unit of time 'second', a 'main course', and the verb 'to second'. Includes examples, conjugation, and tips.

segundo

Complete Conjugation Tables

🔄 Conjugations

indicative

present

preterite

imperfect

future

conditional

subjunctive

present

imperfect

imperative

affirmative

negative

Practice Conjugations