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"Escuela secundaria" is a noun which is often translated as "high school", and "preparatoria" is a noun which is also often translated as "high school". Learn more about the difference between "escuela secundaria" and "preparatoria" below.
la escuela secundaria(
ehs
-
kweh
-
lah
seh
-
koon
-
dah
-
ryah
)A feminine noun is almost always used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., la mujer bonita, la luna llena).
1. (education)
a. high school (United States)
Regionalism used in the United States
Formamos la banda cuando aún estábamos todos en la escuela secundaria.We formed the band when we were all still in high school.
b. secondary school (United Kingdom)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
Adela trabaja de profesora en una escuela secundaria.Adela works as a teacher in a secondary school.
c. senior high (grades 9 to 12) (United States)
Regionalism used in the United States
Lucy y yo nos conocimos en la escuela secundaria.Lucy and I met in senior high.
d. middle school (grades 6 to 8) (United States)
Regionalism used in the United States
Mi hijo está todavía en la escuela secundaria.My son is still in middle school.
e. junior high (grades 6 to 8) (United States)
Regionalism used in the United States
Cuando termine la escuela secundaria, iré a un instituto público.When I finish junior high, I'll go to a public high school.
la preparatoria(
preh
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pah
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rah
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toh
-
ryah
)A feminine noun is almost always used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., la mujer bonita, la luna llena).
1. (education) (Central America) (Mexico)
Regionalism used in Central America: Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama
Regionalism used in Mexico
a. high school
Me gradué de la preparatoria y empecé a trabajar cuando tenía dieciocho años.I graduated from high school and began working when I was eighteen.
b. secondary school
Comencé a estudiar francés cuando iba a la preparatoria.I began studying French when I was in secondary school.
c. college (United Kingdom)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
Ya terminas la preparatoria. ¿Qué vas a estudiar en la universidad?You're finishing college soon. What are you going to study at university?