Inklingo

How to Say "secretly" in Spanish

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escondidas

/es-kon-DEE-das//es.konˈði.ðas/

adverbial phraseB1informal
Use 'a escondidas' when you want to express that an action is performed hidden from the knowledge or sight of specific people.
A high quality storybook illustration focusing on two hands, one quickly slipping a small, folded piece of paper into the pocket of a closed jacket, suggesting an action done secretly.

Examples

Ella comía dulces a escondidas de su mamá.

She ate candy secretly from her mom.

Ella fumaba a escondidas de sus padres.

She smoked secretly from her parents (on the sly).

El niño se comió el pastel a escondidas antes de la cena.

The boy ate the cake in secret before dinner.

Adverbial Function

When used in the phrase 'a escondidas', the whole phrase acts like an adverb, telling you how an action was done (in secret).

Invariable Plural

Even though it describes a singular action, this phrase always uses the plural form 'escondidas' and is always preceded by 'a'.

Using the Singular Form

Mistake: “A escondida”

Correction: A escondidas. This specific phrase is always plural, meaning 'in hiding spots'.

oscuras

ohs-KOO-rahs/osˈku.ɾas/

adverbB1informal
Use 'a oscuras' figuratively to mean doing something without others knowing or being aware, often implying a lack of transparency.
A simple silhouette of a child walking across a floor in a room completely shrouded in deep shadows and darkness, representing the state of being without light.

Examples

El trato se hizo a oscuras, nadie sabía los detalles.

The deal was done secretly, nobody knew the details.

Se fue la luz y tuvimos que cenar a oscuras.

The power went out and we had to eat dinner in the dark.

No puedes tomar una decisión tan importante a oscuras.

You can't make such an important decision blindly (without knowing the facts).

Fixed Adverbial Phrase

When used to mean 'in the dark' or 'blindly,' 'oscuras' almost always follows the preposition 'a'. The phrase 'a oscuras' functions as an adverb, describing how an action is performed.

Always Plural and Feminine

Even though this phrase acts like an adverb (which usually doesn't change), 'a oscuras' is fixed in the feminine plural form and never changes to 'a oscuro' or 'a oscuros'.

Literal vs. Figurative Use

Learners often confuse 'a escondidas' and 'a oscuras' by using 'a oscuras' for hiding an action from people. Remember, 'a escondidas' is for hiding something from someone's view, while 'a oscuras' is more about operating without knowledge or in the dark.

Related Translations

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