Spanish Conversation · Level 39
74 words
Spanish word
primario
Pronunciation
IPA/pɾiˈmaɾjo/
Meaning
- adjectivemain
Example
La primaria razón es la falta de tiempo.
The main reason is the lack of time.
More examples
La educación primaria es obligatoria en muchos países.
Primary education is compulsory in many countries.
Core concept
First or most important element in a group.
Common phrases
educación primaria
primary education
atención primaria
primary care
Similar words
principal: Most important or leading element in a group, common in everyday speech.
esencial: Indispensable quality or component, required for existence or proper function.
fundamental: Underlying basis or root principle at the foundation of a system or idea.
básico: Elementary or introductory level, the simple foundation for learning or further development.
Definition in Spanish
Indica lo que es primero en orden o lo más importante dentro de un conjunto.
Word origin
From Latin primarius (primus "first" + suffix -arius), originally meaning "of the first" and yielding the sense "main".
Usage tips
- In everyday speech, speakers often prefer principal for "main", while primario appears mainly in formal or institutional contexts such as educación primaria, atención primaria, and el sector primario.
Other meanings
- primaryadjective
Opposites
- secundariosecondaryadjective
Related words
- primariamenteprimarilyadverb