Inklingo

How to Say "secrets" in Spanish

English → Spanish

secretos

seh-KREH-tohs/seˈkretos/

nounA1general
Use 'secretos' when referring to pieces of confidential information that are intentionally kept hidden from others.
A small, sturdy wooden box secured tightly with a shiny silver padlock, symbolizing confidential information being kept hidden.

Examples

Los niños se prometieron no revelar sus secretos.

The children promised each other not to reveal their secrets.

La abuela guarda los secretos de su famosa receta.

Grandma keeps the secrets of her famous recipe.

Todos tenemos pequeños secretos que no compartimos con nadie.

We all have little secrets that we don't share with anyone.

Plural Form and Gender

This word is the plural form of the masculine noun 'secreto'. Because it refers to multiple things and the base word is masculine, it uses the '-os' ending and takes masculine plural words like 'los' (the) or 'unos' (some).

Confusing Gender

Mistake: “Decir 'las secretos' (using the feminine plural article).”

Correction: Always use the masculine article 'los secretos', as the base word 'secreto' is masculine.

misterios

mee-STEH-ryohs/misˈteɾjos/

nounA2general
Use 'misterios' when talking about things that are unknown, unexplained, or intriguing, like plot points in a story or unsolved puzzles.
A wooden chest slightly open, emitting a soft, magical golden glow from within.

Examples

Me encantan las películas de misterios.

I love mystery movies.

El universo está lleno de misterios por resolver.

The universe is full of mysteries to be solved.

Hay muchos misterios en la historia de esta casa.

There are many mysteries in this house's history.

Making it plural

This is the plural form of 'misterio'. To talk about more than one, we just add an 's' at the end.

Using the right article

Since this word is masculine and plural, always use 'los' (the) or 'unos' (some) with it.

Avoid 'las misterios'

Mistake: “las misterios”

Correction: los misterios

sombras

SOHM-bras/ˈsom.bɾas/

nounB2figurative
Use 'sombras' metaphorically to describe hidden doubts, uncertainties, or negative implications that affect a situation or future outlook.
A simplified cartoon figure standing hesitantly at a fork in a dirt road, looking confused about which path to take. One path is clear, and the other leads into a patch of dark, obscuring fog.

Examples

La crisis puso muchas sombras sobre el futuro de la empresa.

The crisis cast many doubts on the company's future.

Hay que sacar a la luz las sombras del pasado político.

We must bring the secrets (or dark parts) of the political past to light.

Figurative Extension

This meaning is an easy extension of the physical shadow: just as a shadow conceals things, 'sombras' can mean hidden problems, doubts, or lack of clarity.

Confusing Confidentiality with the Unknown

Learners often confuse 'secretos' with 'misterios'. Remember that 'secretos' refers to specific information someone knows but keeps hidden, while 'misterios' are things that are generally unknown or unexplained to everyone.

Related Translations

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