secundaria y preparatoria
/sekundaɾja i pɾepaɾatoɾja/from spelling rules
The English phrase "middle school and high school" is translated into Spanish as secundaria y preparatoria.
This phrase describes the period of education between elementary school and college.
What does it mean word for word?
The word secundaria literally refers to secondary education, which in many Spanish-speaking contexts covers the middle school years.
Which one should you use?
While secundaria can sometimes encompass all secondary education, in the context of this phrase, it specifically targets the middle school level to distinguish it from preparatoria.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, la secundaria refers to middle school. In Spain, el instituto is a formal term used to refer to middle school, high school or vocational schools. Additionally, the formal term el liceo is used to refer to a high school or a secondary education institution.
How do you pronounce it?
/sekundaɾja i pɾepaɾatoɾja/
Did you know?
- The term liceo is often used in Chile, Uruguay, and parts of Central America to refer to high school, a word that English speakers might only associate with 'lyceum' or classical philosophy.
- In Mexico, students often use the slang term la prepa instead of the full word preparatoria when talking about high school.
- While preparatoria is common in Mexico, students in many other Latin American countries might refer to this same stage as el bachillerato.
Examples in context
- Voy al insti mañanaI'm going to high school tomorrow.
- Estudié mucho en la secundaria y preparatoria.I studied a lot in middle school and high school.
- ¿Cómo fue tu tiempo en la secundaria y preparatoria?How was your time in middle school and high school?
Example conversation
Two friends are reminiscing about their school days.
- ElenaRecuerdo mis años de la secundaria y preparatoria.I remember my years of middle school and high school.
- JavierYo también, fueron tiempos muy divertidos.Me too, they were very fun times.
- Elena¿Te gustaba la secundaria y preparatoria?Did you like middle school and high school?
- JavierSí, me encantaban mis amigos de entonces.Yes, I loved my friends from back then.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
