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"Middle name" is a noun which is often translated as "el segundo nombre", and "first" is an adjective which is often translated as "primero". Learn more about the difference between "middle name" and "first" below.
middle name(
mih
-
duhl
neym
)A noun is a word referring to a person, animal, place, thing, feeling, or idea (e.g., man, dog, house).
a. el segundo nombre (M)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
My middle name is Boris because my mom's from Russia.Mi segundo nombre es Boris porque mi mamá es rusa.
2. (figurative) (word that best describes someone)
A phrase used as a figure of speech or a word that is symbolic in meaning; metaphorical (e.g., carrot, bean).
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Guts is Alice's middle name.Alice es el coraje personificado.
Honesty was Frank's middle name.Frank era la honradez en persona.
first(
fuhrst
)An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
a. primero
The first time I ever had guacamole was in Guadalajara.La primera vez que probé el guacamole fue en Guadalajara.
b. primer (before noun)
The first chapter of the novel was the best.El primer capítulo de la novela fue el mejor.
An adverb is a word that describes a verb, an adjective, or other adverbs (e.g., to run quickly, very tired).
a. primero
First, I would like to thank the organizers for inviting me.Primero me gustaría agradecer a los organizadores por haberme invitado.
A noun is a word referring to a person, animal, place, thing, feeling, or idea (e.g., man, dog, house).
5. (in dates)
a. el primero (M)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
The first of April is a day for pranks and jokes of all kinds.El primero de abril es un día para bromas y chistes de todo tipo.
6. (car gear)
a. la primera (F)
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
We had to go up the slope in first.Tuvimos que subir la cuesta en primera.
