secreto
/seˈkɾeto/masculine
The English word 'secret' can be translated into Spanish as secreto. Wiktionary also lists arcano.
Meaning: knowledge that is hidden (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| secreto | /seˈkɾeto/ | masculine |
| arcano | /aɾˈkano/ |
The term refers to knowledge that is hidden. It can function as a masculine noun or as an adjective meaning 'being or kept hidden'.
Which one should you use?
While secreto is the common way to say secret, arcano is a much more formal, literary or esoteric way to refer to a secret compared to the common secreto.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
As a masculine noun, the plural form of secreto is secretos. When used as an adjective, the form must agree with the gender of the noun it modifies, such as una misión secreta (a secret mission).
How do you pronounce it?
/seˈkɾeto/
Did you know?
- The word secreto is a cognate of the English word 'secretary', as both originally referred to people entrusted with private or 'secret' information.
- While secreto describes a hidden fact, Spanish uses the word sigilo to describe the 'secret' or stealthy manner in which an action is performed.
- The formal word arcano is frequently used in Spanish to refer specifically to the 22 Major Arcana cards in a Tarot deck.
Examples in context
- Yo sé su secreto.I know his secret.This sentence shows how to express knowing someone's secret using secreto.Tatoeba #2478474 by marcelostockle, translation #2478435 by Hybrid
- Yo sé tu secreto.I know your secret.This sentence shows how to express knowing a secret using secreto.Tatoeba #2478480 by marcelostockle, translation #2478437 by Hybrid
- No es un secreto.It isn't a secret.This sentence demonstrates a negative statement about a secret using secreto.Tatoeba #2590589 by marcelostockle, translation #2549038 by CK
- El proyecto tiene información secretaThe project has secret information
- Este documento es confidencialThis document is confidential
- Esta es información reservadaThis is classified information
- No puedo contarles mi secretoI can't tell you my secret
- No le digas a nadie, pero tengo un chismeDon't tell anyone, but I have some juicy gossip
- 259 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucía and Alejandro are talking in a quiet cafe.
- LucíaÉl me contó un secreto.He told me a secret.
- Alejandro¿Es un secreto muy grande?Is it a very big secret?
- LucíaNo puedo decirte el secreto, Alejandro.I cannot tell you the secret, Alejandro.
- AlejandroEntiendo, guardaré tu secreto.I understand, I will keep your secret.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “secret” translations and entries secreto, arcano, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
