secretario
/sekɾeˈtaɾjo/masculine
The English word "secretary" is translated into Spanish as secretario. Wiktionary also lists secretaria.
Meaning: person keeping records and handling clerical work (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| secretario | /sekɾeˈtaɾjo/ | masculine |
| secretaria | /sekɾeˈtaɾja/ | feminine |
The term refers to a person responsible for keeping records and handling clerical work.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, secretario/a is the most commonly used term in both formal and informal contexts. In Mexico, secretaria is commonly used regardless of formality. In Argentina, auxiliar de oficina is less commonly used but still understood.
How does it change in a sentence?
The masculine form secretario is used when the secretary is a man or to refer to a group of secretaries containing at least one man. The feminine form secretaria is used when the secretary is a woman.
How do you pronounce it?
/sekɾeˈtaɾjo/
Did you know?
- While secretario means a person, the word secretario can also refer to a specific style of antique writing desk with drawers and a fold-down top.
- The term secretario is used in Spanish to describe a specific type of bird, the 'Secretarybird', known as secretario or secretario-pájaro.
- The word secretaría is used to describe both the person's office and the entire government department, such as the Secretaría de Salud for the 'Ministry of Health'.
Examples in context
- Mi madre es secretaria.My mom is a secretary.This sentence is useful for describing a person's profession using the feminine form secretaria.Tatoeba #3376524 by Shishir, translation #9741468 by DJ_Saidez
- Yo la hice mi secretaria.I made her my secretary.This sentence shows the use of the feminine form secretaria in a personal context.Tatoeba #1235087 by marcelostockle, translation #261381 by CK
- El secretario fue cesado.The secretary was dismissed.This sentence demonstrates the use of the masculine form secretario.Tatoeba #5083471 by albrusgher, translation #317850 by CM
- Por favor, llame al secretario/a.Please call the secretary.
- Necesito hablar con el/la asistente administrativo/a.I need to speak with the administrative assistant.
- 46 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
María is asking Daniel about a new employee at the office.
- María¿Quién es el hombre nuevo en la oficina?Who is the new man in the office?
- DanielÉl es el nuevo secretario de la empresa.He is the new secretary of the company.
- María¿Sabe dónde está su escritorio?Do you know where his desk is?
- DanielSí, el secretario está junto a la entrada.Yes, the secretary is next to the entrance.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “secretary” translations and entries secretario, secretaria, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
