vs 

QUICK ANSWER
"Secretario" is a noun which is often translated as "secretary", and "a" is a preposition which is often translated as "to". Learn more about the difference between "secretario" and "a" below.
el secretario, la secretaria(
seh
-
kreh
-
tah
-
ryoh
)
This means that the noun can be masculine or feminine, depending on the gender of the noun it refers to (e.g., el doctor, la doctora).
masculine or feminine noun
a. secretary
Mi secretario te llamará para confirmar la fecha de la cirugía.My secretary will call you to confirm the date of the surgery.
b. clerk
El alcalde electo solía trabajar como secretario municipal.The elected mayor used to work as a town clerk.
2. (politics)
Regionalism used in Mexico
(Mexico)
a. Secretary of State
El secretario recomendó mejorar las relaciones con Inglaterra.The Secretary of State recommended improving the relations with England.
b. minister
El secretario de Educación anunció que no habrá clases por dos días.The Minister for Education announced that schools will remain closed for two days.
Copyright © 2025 Dictionary Media Group, Inc.
a, la a(
ah
)
A preposition is a word that indicates the relationship between a noun and another word (e.g., He ran through the door.).
preposition
a. to
Ve a tu habitación.Go to your room.
a. to
A la izquierda puedes ver el parque.To your left you can see the park.
a. at
Saldremos al amanecer.We will leave at dawn.
a.
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
no direct translation
Podía respirar a duras penas.He was hardly able to breathe.
a. to
No te olvides de escribir a tus abuelos.Don't forget to write to your grandparents.
a.
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
no direct translation
¡A fregar los platos!Go do the dishes!
¡A la cama!Off to bed!
a.
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
no direct translation
Me encantaría ganar dinero a espuertas.I would love to earn lots of money.
Llovía a cántaros.It was pouring.
a. to
Vino a saludar.He came to say hello.
a. per
Trabajo ocho horas al día.I work eight hours per day.
A feminine noun is almost always used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., la mujer bonita, la luna llena).
feminine noun
a. a
Ese adjetivo debe terminar con una a.That adjective should end in an a.
a. A
El pianista tocó una A.The pianist played an A.
An abbreviation is the shortened form of a word or group of words (e.g., "UFO" = "unidentified flying object"; "p." = "page").
abbreviation
a. A
El circuito transporta una corriente de 1 A.The circuit carries a current of 1 A.
La intensidad de la corriente eléctrica se mide en A.The intensity of an electric current is measured in A.
Copyright © 2025 Dictionary Media Group, Inc.