especialización secundaria
/espeθjaliθaθjon sekundaɾja/from spelling rules
The English phrase "college minor" is translated into Spanish as especialización secundaria.
This phrase refers to a secondary subject that a university student chooses to study alongside their primary major. When you want to say that you are actively studying or pursuing a minor, you can use the verb cursar.
How do you pronounce it?
/espeθjaliθaθjon sekundaɾja/
Did you know?
- The word especialización shares a deep linguistic root with the English word 'species'. Both come from the Proto-Indo-European root *speḱ-, which means 'to observe' or 'to see'.
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, the concept of a 'minor' is so uncommon that there is no single, standard word for it. Students often focus exclusively on one carrera throughout their entire university degree.
- While especialización secundaria is the formal term, many Spanish speakers simply use the English word 'minor' in academic settings due to the influence of the North American university system.
Example conversation
Two students are talking about their university degrees.
- LucíaLucía, ¿cuál es tu especialización secundaria?Lucía, what is your college minor?
- DanielTengo una especialización secundaria en economía.I have a college minor in economics.
- LucíaEso suena muy difícil, Daniel.That sounds very difficult, Daniel.
- DanielSí, pero es muy interesante.Yes, but it is very interesting.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries especialización, secundaria, CC BY-SA 4.0.
