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propio

pro-pyoˈpɾo.pjo

own

Also: one's own
A small child happily hugging a unique, bright red toy cube, emphasizing that it is theirs.

📝 In Action

Tengo mi propio coche, así que no necesito el tuyo.

A2

I have my own car, so I don't need yours.

Ella quiere vivir en su propia casa.

A2

She wants to live in her own house.

Cada estudiante tiene sus propios libros.

B1

Each student has their own books.

Word Connections

Antonyms

  • ajeno (someone else's, foreign)

Common Collocations

  • por mi propia cuenta – on my own / by myself
  • en defensa propia – in self-defense
  • amor propio – self-esteem, self-respect

typical of

Also: characteristic of, peculiar to
A curious cat perched on a fence, leaning forward intently to peer at a small, fluttering butterfly.

📝 In Action

Esa curiosidad es propia de los gatos.

B1

That curiosity is typical of cats.

Es un error propio de principiantes.

B1

It's a mistake characteristic of beginners.

La puntualidad no es algo propio de él.

B2

Punctuality is not something typical of him.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • característico (characteristic)
  • típico (typical)

Common Collocations

  • propio de – typical of / characteristic of

very

Also: itself / himself / herself
AdjectivemB2formal
A king in a crown and regal robes personally opening a large, heavy wooden door, emphasizing that he is doing it without assistance.

📝 In Action

El propio presidente anunció la noticia.

B2

The president himself announced the news.

La solución se encuentra en el propio problema.

C1

The solution is found in the problem itself.

Lo vi con mis propios ojos.

B1

I saw it with my own (very) eyes.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • mismo (same, himself/herself)

proper

Also: appropriate, suitable
A hand choosing a perfectly sized wrench from a disorganized toolbox filled with many unsuitable items like a spoon, a feather, and a shoe.

📝 In Action

Debes usar la herramienta propia para este trabajo.

B2

You must use the proper tool for this job.

No es el vocabulario propio para una conversación formal.

B2

That is not the appropriate vocabulary for a formal conversation.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • impropio (improper, inappropriate)

🔀 Commonly Confused With

Translate to Spanish

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: propio

Question 1 of 1

Which sentence uses 'propio' to mean 'typical of'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
propiedad(property, ownership) — Noun
propietario/a(owner, proprietor) — Noun
apropiado(appropriate) — Adjective
impropio(improper) — Adjective
apropiarse(to appropriate, to take possession of) — Verb
🎵 Rhymes▼
acopioimpropio
📚 Etymology▼

Comes from the Latin word 'proprius', which meant 'one's own', 'special', or 'particular'. You can see the family resemblance in English words like 'property' (something you own) and 'proper' (the correct or special way to do something).

First recorded: Around the 12th century.

Cognates (Related words)

Portuguese: próprioFrench: propreItalian: proprioEnglish: proper

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Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between 'mi propio coche' and 'el propio coche'?

It's all about where 'propio' is placed! 'Mi propio coche' means 'my own car,' stressing ownership. When 'propio' comes before the noun like in 'el propio coche', it means 'the car itself' or 'the very car,' adding emphasis to the car, not the ownership.

Can I just use 'mío' instead of 'propio'?

They're close, but not quite the same. 'Este coche es mío' means 'This car is mine.' It states ownership. 'Este es mi propio coche' also states ownership but with extra emphasis, as if to say '...and not someone else's.' You use 'propio' to really highlight the 'own' part.