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How to Say "secondary" in Spanish

English → Spanish

secundario

seh-koon-DAH-ryohsekunˈdaɾjo

adjectiveB1general
Use this word for something that is not the primary or main thing, or for supporting roles.
A small, simple sprout growing in the shadow of a large, majestic oak tree.

Examples

Él es un personaje secundario en la novela.

He is a supporting character in the novel.

Ese es un problema secundario; primero resolvemos esto.

That is a secondary problem; let's solve this first.

Tomamos una carretera secundaria para evitar el tráfico.

We took a secondary road to avoid the traffic.

Mi hijo termina la educación secundaria este año.

My son finishes secondary education this year.

Matching the Gender

Remember to change the ending to 'secundaria' if the word it describes is feminine, like 'una calle secundaria'.

Where to Put It

This word almost always comes after the thing it is describing, like 'un efecto secundario' (a side effect).

Using 'la secundaria' as a Noun

In many countries, people just say 'la secundaria' to mean the school building or that stage of life, without adding the word 'escuela'.

Always Plural for Side Effects

When talking about medicine, we usually use the plural: 'efectos secundarios'.

Don't confuse with 'segundo'

Mistake: “Vivo en el secundario piso.”

Correction: Vivo en el segundo piso. Use 'segundo' for the order (1st, 2nd) and 'secundario' for the level of importance.

secundario

adjectiveA2general
Use this specific form when referring to high school education.

Examples

Mi hijo termina la educación secundaria este año.

My son finishes secondary education this year.

secundario

adjectiveB2general
Use this to describe consequences or effects that arise from a previous cause, like medical side effects.

Examples

Este jarabe no tiene efectos secundarios.

This syrup has no side effects.

accesorio

ahk-seh-SOH-ryohak.se.ˈso.ɾjo

adjectiveB2general
Choose this word when describing something as non-essential or additional, rather than central to the main issue.
A large, grand house with a very small, simple wooden shed standing next to it.

Examples

Ese es un problema accesorio; lo importante es el presupuesto.

That is a secondary problem; the important thing is the budget.

Las piezas accesorias de la máquina son fáciles de reemplazar.

The secondary parts of the machine are easy to replace.

No te pierdas en los detalles accesorios.

Don't get lost in the incidental details.

Changing for Gender

Unlike the noun version, when used as an adjective, it must change to match the word it describes. Use 'accesorio' for masculine words and 'accesoria' for feminine words.

Forgetting the 'A'

Mistake: “Es una parte accesorio.”

Correction: Es una parte accesoria. Because 'parte' is feminine, you must change the ending of the adjective.

subordinado

soo-bor-dee-NAH-dohsuβoɾðiˈnaðo

adjectiveB2formal
Use this word when something has a lesser importance or a lower rank compared to something else.
A line of colorful birds on a branch, with one smaller bird sitting on a lower branch looking up at the others.

Examples

Este departamento tiene un papel subordinado en la empresa.

This department has a subordinate role in the company.

Tus deseos personales están subordinados al bienestar de la familia.

Your personal desires are secondary to the family's well-being.

Hay una idea principal y varias ideas subordinadas.

There is one main idea and several secondary ideas.

Using 'A'

When you want to say something is subordinate 'to' something else, always use the little word 'a' after subordinado.

Don't forget to match plurals

Mistake: “Los planes subordinado.”

Correction: Say 'Los planes subordinados'. Adjectives must match the plural 's' of the thing they describe.

periférico

adjectiveB2general
This term refers to something located on the edge or outer part, often implying it's not central or important.

Examples

La policía patrulla los barrios periféricos de la capital.

The police patrol the outer neighborhoods of the capital.

Distinguishing 'secundario' from 'accesorio'

Learners often confuse 'secundario' and 'accesorio'. 'Secundario' is used for things that are not primary but still part of the main subject (like a supporting character or side effect), while 'accesorio' implies something is non-essential or extra, often separate from the core issue.

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