Inklingo

específico

es-peh-SEE-fee-koh/espeˈsifiko/

específico means specific in Spanish (precise and clear).

specific, particular

Also: exact
A colorful illustration showing a group of five red circles surrounding one distinctly different blue circle placed precisely in the center, representing specificity.

📝 In Action

Necesito una respuesta específica antes de mañana.

A2

I need a specific answer before tomorrow.

¿Puedes darme un ejemplo más específico de lo que buscas?

B1

Can you give me a more specific example of what you are looking for?

El problema no es general, es específico de este departamento.

B2

The problem is not general, it is specific to this department.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • concreto (concrete)
  • detallado (detailed)
  • preciso (precise)

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • punto específicospecific point
  • requisito específicospecific requirement
  • propósito específicospecific purpose

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: específico

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence correctly uses the feminine plural form of 'específico'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family
específicamente(specifically)Adverb
especificar(to specify)Verb
especificación(specification)Noun
🎵 Rhymes
científicomagnífico
📚 Etymology

Comes from the Latin word *specificus*, which was a combination of *species* (meaning 'kind' or 'sort') and a root meaning 'making.' It literally means 'making a kind' or 'defining a type,' which explains why it refers to something detailed and particular.

First recorded: 15th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: specificPortuguese: específico

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I turn 'específico' into the adverb form ('specifically')?

To change almost any Spanish adjective into an adverb (a word that describes how an action is done), you take the feminine singular form ('específica') and add '-mente' to the end, resulting in 'específicamente'.

Does 'específico' ever change its meaning based on where it is placed in the sentence?

Unlike some Spanish adjectives, 'específico' generally keeps its core meaning of 'precise' or 'particular' whether you place it before the noun (un específico requisito) or after the noun (un requisito específico). Placing it after the noun is much more common and natural.