privado
“privado” means “private” in Spanish. It has 3 different meanings depending on context:
private, personal
Also: exclusive, secluded
📝 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.
deprived, restricted
Also: bereft
📝 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.
private
Also: private investigator
📝 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.
Translate to Spanish
Words that translate to "privado" in Spanish:
bereft→deprived→exclusive→personal→private→private investigator→restricted→secluded→✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: privado
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'privado' to mean 'deprived' or 'lacking'?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
'Privado' comes from the Latin word *privātus*, which meant 'set apart from public life' or 'belonging to an individual'. It is also the past participle of the verb *privare* (to deprive or rob).
First recorded: 13th century (in Spanish)
Cognates (Related words)
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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).