How to Say "secret" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “secret” is “secreto” — use 'secreto' when referring to information that is intentionally kept hidden from others, like a piece of gossip or a confidential fact.
secreto
seh-KREH-tohseˈkɾe.to
Examples
No le digas a nadie, es un secreto.
Don't tell anyone, it's a secret.
Mi hermano es bueno para guardar secretos.
My brother is good at keeping secrets.
El secreto de su éxito es la perseverancia.
The secret to his success is perseverance.
Hay una puerta secreta detrás de la estantería.
There's a secret door behind the bookshelf.
Always Masculine
When 'secreto' is a noun (a thing), it's always masculine. Always use 'el secreto' or 'un secreto', never 'la secreta' or 'una secreta'.
Matching the Noun
When used to describe something, 'secreto' must change its ending to match the noun's gender. Use 'secreto' for masculine things ('un plan secreto') and 'secreta' for feminine things ('una misión secreta').
Confusing with the Adjective
Mistake: “Tengo una secreta para ti.”
Correction: Tengo un secreto para ti. (I have a secret for you.) The noun is always 'un secreto'.
Forgetting to Change the Ending
Mistake: “Tienen una reunión secreto.”
Correction: Tienen una reunión secreta. (They have a secret meeting.) Because 'reunión' is a feminine word, the adjective describing it must also end in '-a'.
secreto
seh-KREH-tohseˈkɾe.to
Examples
Hay una puerta secreta detrás de la estantería.
There's a secret door behind the bookshelf.
No le digas a nadie, es un secreto.
Don't tell anyone, it's a secret.
Mi hermano es bueno para guardar secretos.
My brother is good at keeping secrets.
El secreto de su éxito es la perseverancia.
The secret to his success is perseverance.
Always Masculine
When 'secreto' is a noun (a thing), it's always masculine. Always use 'el secreto' or 'un secreto', never 'la secreta' or 'una secreta'.
Matching the Noun
When used to describe something, 'secreto' must change its ending to match the noun's gender. Use 'secreto' for masculine things ('un plan secreto') and 'secreta' for feminine things ('una misión secreta').
Confusing with the Adjective
Mistake: “Tengo una secreta para ti.”
Correction: Tengo un secreto para ti. (I have a secret for you.) The noun is always 'un secreto'.
Forgetting to Change the Ending
Mistake: “Tienen una reunión secreto.”
Correction: Tienen una reunión secreta. (They have a secret meeting.) Because 'reunión' is a feminine word, the adjective describing it must also end in '-a'.
escondido
es-kon-DEE-doheskonˈdiðo
Examples
Encontraron el tesoro escondido detrás de la cascada.
They found the hidden treasure behind the waterfall.
Siempre guarda su dinero en un lugar bien escondido.
He always keeps his money in a well-hidden place.
Ella tiene un talento escondido para la música.
She has a hidden talent for music.
Agreement is Key
As a describing word, 'escondido' must match the thing it describes in both gender (masculine/feminine) and number (singular/plural): 'la llave escondida' (feminine singular) or 'los juguetes escondidos' (masculine plural).
Forgetting the 'estar'
Mistake: “La caja es escondida.”
Correction: La caja está escondida. ('Escondido' usually describes a temporary state or location, so it almost always uses the verb 'estar' (to be located), not 'ser' (to be permanent).)
misterio
mis-TEH-ryohmisˈte.rjo
Examples
¿Quién se comió el último trozo de pastel? ¡Es un misterio!
Who ate the last piece of cake? It's a mystery!
El detective resolvió el misterio del collar robado en solo dos días.
The detective solved the mystery of the stolen necklace in only two days.
Para mí, cómo funciona el internet sigue siendo un completo misterio.
For me, how the internet works is still a complete mystery.
Gender Rule
Even though many Spanish nouns ending in -a are feminine, 'misterio' ends in -o and is masculine. Always use the masculine article: 'el misterio', 'un misterio'.
Mixing up 'misterio' and 'secreto'
Mistake: “Usar 'misterio' cuando se refiere a información personal oculta.”
Correction: 'Misterio' usually refers to a puzzle or a general unknown truth (like the universe). Use 'secreto' for personal, hidden information (e.g., 'Tengo un secreto').
confidencial
kon-fee-den-see-ALkon.fi.ðenˈsjal
Examples
Por favor, mantén este documento confidencial.
Please, keep this document confidential.
La reunión será estrictamente confidencial.
The meeting will be strictly confidential.
Tenemos que hablar de este tema de manera confidencial.
We have to talk about this subject confidentially (in a confidential manner).
Invariable Form
This adjective is 'invariable,' meaning it always stays the same regardless of whether the thing it describes is masculine or feminine: 'el informe confidencial' (masculine) and 'la nota confidencial' (feminine).
Making it Plural
To describe more than one thing, simply add '-es': 'documentos confidenciales' (confidential documents).
Mixing up gender
Mistake: “La información es confidenciala.”
Correction: La información es confidencial. (Since the word ends in '-al', it doesn't need to change its ending for feminine nouns.)
clandestino
klahn-dehs-TEE-nohklandesˈtino
Examples
Ellos tenían una reunión clandestina en el sótano.
They were having a secret meeting in the basement.
El casino era clandestino y no tenía permisos.
The casino was illegal and didn't have permits.
Publicaron un periódico clandestino durante la guerra.
They published an underground newspaper during the war.
Matching Genders
Since this is a describing word, it must match the thing it describes. Use 'clandestino' for masculine words (like 'negocio') and 'clandestina' for feminine words (like 'reunión').
Word Order for Emphasis
Usually, this word comes after the noun (the thing it describes). Putting it after emphasizes that the secrecy is the most important part of the description.
Clandestino vs. Secreto
Mistake: “Using 'clandestino' for a surprise party.”
Correction: Use 'secreto'. 'Clandestino' almost always implies something forbidden by law or authority, while 'secreto' is for any hidden information.
encubierto
en-koo-byer-tohenkuˈβjeɾto
Examples
El detective trabajó de forma encubierta durante seis meses.
The detective worked undercover for six months.
Llevaron a cabo una operación encubierta para atrapar a los ladrones.
They carried out an undercover operation to catch the thieves.
Matching Gender and Number
Since this word describes a person or thing, it must match. Use 'encubierto' for a man or masculine object, and 'encubierta' for a woman or feminine object.
Using 'escondido' vs 'encubierto'
Mistake: “Using 'escondido' to describe a spy.”
Correction: Use 'encubierto' for people with secret identities. 'Escondido' just means physically hiding behind a curtain or under a bed.
oculto
oh-KUL-tohoˈkulto
Examples
El libro trataba sobre las fuerzas ocultas del universo.
The book dealt with the hidden forces of the universe.
Ella tenía un motivo oculto para ayudarles.
She had a secret motive for helping them.
La verdad oculta de la historia salió a la luz.
The mysterious truth of the story came to light.
Abstract Use
In this sense, 'oculto' usually describes abstract nouns like 'motivo' (motive), 'verdad' (truth), or 'significado' (meaning) that are intentionally kept from others.
Secreto vs. Escondido
Related Translations
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