segundo
/seh-GOON-doh/
second
As an ordinal number, segundo means 'second' in order or ranking.
📝 In Action
Vivo en el segundo piso.
A1I live on the second floor.
Esta es mi segunda oportunidad.
A2This is my second chance.
Carlos III fue el segundo hijo del rey.
B1Charles III was the king's second son.
💡 Grammar Points
Matches the Thing It Describes
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).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using 'Dos' for 'Second'
Mistake: "El piso dos."
Correction: El segundo piso. Use 'dos' (two) for counting how many things there are, and 'segundo' (second) for saying which one in an order.
⭐ Usage Tips
Ordering and Ranking
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.
Segundo is commonly used to mean 'second' as a unit of time, or informally, 'a moment.'
segundo(Noun)
second
?A unit of time; 1/60th of a minute.
moment
?Used informally to mean a very short period of time.
📝 In Action
Espera un segundo, por favor.
A1Wait a second, please.
La película dura una hora, veinte minutos y diez segundos.
A2The movie is one hour, twenty minutes, and ten seconds long.
Volveré en un segundo.
A2I'll be back in a moment.
⭐ Usage Tips
More Than Just a Clock Tick
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'.
In Spanish set menus, segundo refers to the second course, which is typically the main dish.
segundo(Noun)
second course
?The main dish of a multi-course meal.
main course
?Synonymous with 'second course' in many set menus.
📝 In Action
De segundo, quiero el pescado a la plancha.
A2For the main course, I want the grilled fish.
¿Qué tienen de segundo en el menú del día?
B1What do you have for the second course on the menu of the day?
⭐ Usage Tips
Ordering Food in Spain
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.
The verb segundar (conjugated here as yo segundo) means 'to second' a motion or formally support a proposal.
📝 In Action
Yo segundo la moción de la presidenta.
C1I second the president's motion.
⭐ Usage Tips
For Formal Settings Only
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'.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
preterite
imperfect
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: segundo
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses 'segundo' to talk about a unit of time?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between 'segundo' and 'dos'?
Think of it like 'second' vs. 'two' in English. Use 'dos' for counting things ('tengo dos gatos' - I have two cats). Use 'segundo' for putting things in order ('es mi segundo gato' - he is my second cat).
How do I say 'secondly' or 'in the second place'?
The most common way is to say 'en segundo lugar'. For example: 'Primero, tenemos que comprar pan. En segundo lugar, necesitamos leche.' (First, we have to buy bread. Secondly, we need milk.)
Does 'segundo' ever shorten to 'segund' like 'primero' shortens to 'primer'?
No, it doesn't. 'Segundo' always stays 'segundo' before a masculine noun. You would say 'el segundo libro', not 'el segund libro'. This is a difference from 'primero' (primer) and 'tercero' (tercer).