secreta
“secreta” means “secret” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
secret
Also: confidential
📝 In Action
Necesitas la clave secreta para entrar al sistema.
A2You need the secret key to enter the system.
La operación secreta se llevó a cabo anoche.
B1The secret operation was carried out last night.
female secret agent
Also: hiding place
📝 In Action
Una secreta la siguió desde el aeropuerto.
B2A female secret agent followed her from the airport.
La policía secreta se encargó del caso.
B2The secret police took charge of the case.
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✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: secreta
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses 'secreta' as a female agent?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
Comes directly from the Latin word *secretus*, which originally meant 'separated' or 'set apart.' It evolved to mean 'hidden' or 'concealed' because things set apart are often kept private.
First recorded: 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'secreta' only used for female things?
Yes, as an adjective, 'secreta' is the feminine form and must modify feminine nouns (like 'información'). When modifying masculine nouns (like 'documento'), you must use the masculine form, 'secreto'.
When should I use 'la secreta' instead of 'el secreto'?
Use 'el secreto' (masculine noun) when referring to the piece of hidden information itself ('The secret is...'). Use 'la secreta' (feminine noun) when referring to a female secret agent or, in some regions, the secret police force as a whole.