Inklingo

How to Say "high school" in Spanish

English → Spanish

colegio

coh-LEH-heeoh/koˈlexjo/

nounA1general
Use 'colegio' when referring to the general concept of a secondary school, particularly in Spain, or when the specific educational stage isn't the focus.
A simple illustration showing a bright yellow school bus parked next to a traditional red-brick school building with large windows.

Examples

Mi hermano mayor va al colegio en el centro de la ciudad.

My older brother goes to high school in the city center.

Mi hijo empieza el colegio nuevo en septiembre.

My son starts the new school in September.

Fui al mismo colegio que mi padre.

I went to the same school as my father.

Ella es profesora en un colegio bilingüe.

She is a teacher in a bilingual school.

Gender and Articles

Since 'colegio' is masculine, always use the article 'el' before it: 'el colegio'. If you are talking about multiple schools, use 'los colegios'.

False Friend Alert: Not 'College'

Mistake: “Using 'colegio' to mean 'university' or 'college' (higher education).”

Correction: This is a 'false friend'. 'Colegio' means K-12 school. For higher education, use 'universidad' or 'facultad'.

secundaria

/seh-koon-DAH-reeah//se.kunˈda.rja/

nounA2general
Use 'secundaria' to specifically denote the stage of secondary education, akin to 'high school' in the US system, focusing on the academic level.
A colorful storybook illustration depicting a traditional two-story brick school building with tall windows and a prominent flagpole. Three teenagers carrying backpacks are walking toward the entrance.

Examples

Los estudiantes de secundaria deben elegir su especialización pronto.

High school students must choose their specialization soon.

¿En qué año de la secundaria estás?

What year of high school are you in?

Terminé la secundaria el año pasado y ahora voy a la universidad.

I finished secondary school last year and now I'm going to university.

Mi hermana es profesora de matemáticas en una secundaria pública.

My sister is a math teacher at a public high school.

Use with Articles

Since 'secundaria' is a feminine noun, you will almost always use the feminine article 'la' or 'una' before it: 'la secundaria' (the high school).

Confusing Levels

Mistake: “Using 'colegio' when you mean 'secundaria'.”

Correction: In many Spanish-speaking countries, 'colegio' often means 'private school' or 'primary/elementary school,' while 'secundaria' refers specifically to the high school level.

Colegio vs. Secundaria

Learners often confuse 'colegio' and 'secundaria' because 'colegio' can sometimes encompass primary and secondary levels. Remember that 'secundaria' specifically refers to the high school stage, while 'colegio' is a broader term for a school, especially common in Spain.

Related Translations

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