Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
How to Say Second in Spanish
Segundo · noun · seh-GOON-doh
The Spanish word for second is 'segundo,' functioning both as a unit of time and as an ordinal number meaning 'second in order.' As a time unit, it works like the English equivalent — sixty seconds make up a minute.
Pronounce 'segundo' as seh-GOON-doh, with the stress falling on the second syllable.
Espera un segundo, ya regreso.
Wait a second, I'll be right back.
second in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for second, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| segundo | second | seh-GOON-doh | Default, widely understood |
| segunda | second | feminine form | |
| un momento | second | as in 'just a second' |
How Native Speakers Use Segundo
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Unit of time
El corredor terminó la carrera en treinta segundos.
The runner finished the race in thirty seconds.
Measuring time in a sports event.
Ordinal position
Ella llegó en segundo lugar.
She arrived in second place.
Ranking in a competition.
Casual pause
Dame un segundo para pensarlo.
Give me a second to think about it.
Asking for a brief moment.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Segundo
Forgetting gender agreement for ordinal use
Incorrect: Es la segundo vez que vengo.
Correct: Es la segunda vez que vengo.
When 'segundo' modifies a feminine noun like 'vez,' it must change to its feminine form 'segunda.'
Confusing 'segundo' with 'secundo'
Incorrect: Espera un secundo.
Correct: Espera un segundo.
The correct spelling is 'segundo' with a 'g,' not 'secundo.' This mistake often comes from English influence.
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Common Questions About second in Spanish
- Is 'segundo' used for both time and order?
- The word 'segundo' serves a dual purpose in Spanish — it measures time as a unit (one second) and indicates ordinal position (second place, second floor).
- How do you abbreviate 'segundo' in Spanish?
- As a time unit, 'segundo' is abbreviated as 's' or 'seg.' As an ordinal number, it is abbreviated as '2.°' (masculine) or '2.ª' (feminine).
- What is the feminine form of 'segundo'?
- When used as an ordinal adjective modifying a feminine noun, 'segundo' becomes 'segunda,' as in 'la segunda oportunidad' (the second opportunity).