primario
“primario” means “primary” in Spanish (meaning the first, most important, or basic).
primary
Also: elementary, basic
📝 In Action
El rojo es un color primario.
A1Red is a primary color.
Los niños van a la escuela primaria.
A2Children go to elementary school.
Nuestra preocupación primaria es la seguridad.
B1Our primary concern is safety.
Translate to Spanish
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: primario
Question 1 of 3
Which of these is a 'color primario'?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
From the Latin 'primarius', which means 'of the first rank' or 'chief'. It comes from 'primus', meaning 'first'.
First recorded: 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
💡 Master Spanish
Take your Spanish to the next level. Read 200+ illustrated and narrated Spanish stories tailored to your level with the Inklingo app!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can 'primario' mean my first cousin?
No. While they share the same root, a male cousin is 'primo' and a female cousin is 'prima'. 'Primario' only refers to rank or importance.
When do I use 'primario' vs 'primero'?
'Primero' is used for counting (the 1st one), while 'primario' is used to describe the nature of something (the basic or most important one).
Is 'primaria' used for elementary school in all countries?
Yes, 'la primaria' is understood throughout the Spanish-speaking world, though some countries like Chile might use 'Enseñanza Básica' in formal documents.