privado
/pree-V AH -doh/
private
A private space, such as a home behind a fence, is "privado."
privado(Adjective)
private
?not public
,personal
?individual matter
exclusive
?limited access
,secluded
?area or space
📝 In Action
Necesito hablar contigo en un lugar privado.
A2I need to talk to you in a private place.
Esta es información estrictamente privada.
B1This is strictly private information.
El club tiene una playa privada para sus miembros.
B2The club has a private beach for its members.
💡 Grammar Points
Matching the Ending
Like many Spanish descriptions, 'privado' must match the thing it describes. Use 'privado' for masculine singular things (el coche privado), 'privada' for feminine singular things (la vida privada), 'privados' for masculine plural things, and 'privadas' for feminine plural things.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Ignoring Gender
Mistake: "Hablamos de la tema privado."
Correction: Hablamos del tema privado. (Tema is masculine, so 'privado' is correct.)
⭐ Usage Tips
Placement
In this sense, 'privado' almost always comes immediately after the thing it is describing: 'un coche privado', 'una clínica privada'.
When something is lacking an essential element, it is "privado," or deprived.
privado(Adjective)
deprived
?lacking something essential
,restricted
?having something taken away
bereft
?literary use
📝 In Action
Están privados de sus derechos básicos.
C1They are deprived of their basic rights.
El paciente se sintió privado de sueño durante días.
B2The patient felt deprived of sleep for days.
💡 Grammar Points
Always Needs 'de'
When 'privado' is used to mean 'deprived' or 'lacking,' it is always followed by the word 'de' (of/from) before mentioning the thing that is missing.
Action vs. State
This meaning uses the verb 'estar' (to be in a state of) much more often than 'ser' (to be inherently), because being 'deprived' is usually a temporary or resulting state.
⭐ Usage Tips
Formal Contexts
Save this meaning for serious or formal sentences, especially when talking about legal matters, rights, or health. For simple lack, use 'no tener' or 'carecer de'.
The military rank of 'private' is also translated as "privado."
privado(Noun)
private
?military rank
private investigator
?detective (less common, usually 'detective privado')
📝 In Action
El general saludó a cada privado de la tropa.
B2The general greeted every private in the troop.
Mi tío es un privado en el ejército.
B2My uncle is a private in the army.
⭐ Usage Tips
Gender Note
If referring to a female soldier of this rank, you would use 'la privado' (the same form) or sometimes 'la soldada'.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: privado
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'privado' to mean 'deprived' or 'lacking'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
If I want to talk about a secret, is 'privado' or 'secreto' better?
'Secreto' is better for secrets. 'Privado' usually means 'non-public' or 'personal to one group.' For example, 'Mi diario es privado' (meaning only I can read it), but 'El tesoro es un secreto' (meaning nobody knows about it).
How is 'privado' different from 'particular'?
They are very similar! 'Privado' usually implies exclusion from the public sphere (a private business). 'Particular' often means individual or unique to one person (my particular style) or a single residence (a private home/residence).