Sekundär

Sekundär is a German adjective meaning secondary or following in order, derived from Latin secundarius. It is commonly used across many fields to indicate something that is not primary or first in sequence, often contrasted with primär (primary) and tertiär (tertiary). In general usage, it can describe roles, effects, sources, or stages that come after an initial or primary one.

In academia and research, Sekundärliteratur and Sekundärquellen refer to secondary sources that interpret, summarize, or analyze primary data or original documents. Sekundärdaten are data collected by others for purposes other than the current study. These terms help distinguish between original observations (Primärdaten) and reinterpretations or summaries.

In education, Sekundarstufe denotes the secondary level of schooling in German-speaking countries, covering middle and upper secondary education. Institutions such as Sekundarschule or similar arrangements operate at this level, following primary schooling.

In finance, Sekundärmarkt is the market where existing securities are traded among investors after their initial issue on the primary market. This market contrasts with the Primärmarkt, where new securities are issued.

In science and medicine, Sekundärstruktur refers to the organized folding patterns of macromolecules such as proteins (as opposed to the primary sequence). The term also appears in medical contexts, as in sek sekundäre Infektionen or sekun­darke Auswirkungen, indicating secondary conditions or effects that follow an initial event.

Overall, Sekundär functions as a versatile label across disciplines, signaling that something is subsequent, interpretive, or secondary in nature.