Inklingo

How to Say "confidential" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “confidential” is “confidencial” — use 'confidencial' when referring to information, documents, or matters that are meant to be kept private and not shared with others, especially in a formal or professional context..

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confidencial

kon-fee-den-see-AL/kon.fi.ðenˈsjal/

adjectiveB1general use
Use 'confidencial' when referring to information, documents, or matters that are meant to be kept private and not shared with others, especially in a formal or professional context.
A simple, plain brown paper envelope sealed tightly with a large, bright red wax seal. The seal is stamped with the clear image of a small, closed padlock.

Examples

Por favor, mantén este documento confidencial.

Please, keep this document confidential.

La reunión será estrictamente confidencial.

The meeting will be strictly confidential.

Tenemos que hablar de este tema de manera confidencial.

We have to talk about this subject confidentially (in a confidential manner).

Invariable Form

This adjective is 'invariable,' meaning it always stays the same regardless of whether the thing it describes is masculine or feminine: 'el informe confidencial' (masculine) and 'la nota confidencial' (feminine).

Making it Plural

To describe more than one thing, simply add '-es': 'documentos confidenciales' (confidential documents).

Mixing up gender

Mistake: “La información es confidenciala.”

Correction: La información es confidencial. (Since the word ends in '-al', it doesn't need to change its ending for feminine nouns.)

secreta

seh-KREH-tah/seˈkɾe.ta/

adjectiveA2private
Use 'secreta' when referring to something that is hidden, unknown, or requires special access, often implying a code, a password, or a hidden purpose.
A small, ornate golden key is completely hidden inside a closed, simple wooden treasure chest, symbolizing something kept hidden.

Examples

Necesitas la clave secreta para entrar al sistema.

You need the secret key to enter the system.

La operación secreta se llevó a cabo anoche.

The secret operation was carried out last night.

Gender Agreement

Since 'secreta' is an adjective, it must match the feminine noun it describes (e.g., 'una carta secreta,' 'una misión secreta').

Using the wrong form

Mistake: “La secreto (when describing a feminine noun)”

Correction: La secreta. Remember to use 'secreto' when describing masculine nouns.

Confidencial vs. Secreta

Learners often confuse 'confidencial' and 'secreta'. Remember that 'confidencial' is for information not to be shared, while 'secreta' is for something hidden or that requires a key/code to access. Using 'secreta' for general private information might sound overly dramatic or imply a hidden element that isn't there.

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