fiel
“fiel” means “faithful” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
faithful, loyal
Also: accurate, true
📝 In Action
Mi perro es el animal más fiel que conozco.
A2My dog is the most faithful animal I know.
Hicieron una traducción fiel del documento original.
B1They made an accurate translation of the original document.
Ella fue una socia fiel de la empresa durante veinte años.
B2She was a loyal partner of the company for twenty years.
believer, the faithful
Also: follower
📝 In Action
El sacerdote se dirigió a los fieles.
B2The priest addressed the faithful (believers).
Era un fiel de la antigua tradición.
C1He was a follower of the old tradition.
Translate to Spanish
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: fiel
Question 1 of 2
Which English word is the best translation for 'una copia fiel'?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼
The word comes directly from the Latin *fidelis*, which meant 'trustworthy' or 'loyal.' This root is the source for many modern words related to trust and faith.
First recorded: Medieval Latin period (developed in Old Spanish)
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'fiel' masculine or feminine?
As an adjective, 'fiel' is invariable, meaning it stays the same whether describing a masculine or feminine noun (el amigo fiel, la amiga fiel). As a noun, it can refer to a man (el fiel) or a woman (la fiel).
What is the difference between 'fiel' and 'leal'?
Both mean 'loyal' or 'faithful' when talking about people. However, 'fiel' is also used to mean 'accurate' or 'exact' when describing objects or documents (like a copy or a translation), a meaning 'leal' does not have.