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.
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.
Learn more →
Use 'secreta' when referring to something that is hidden, unknown, or requires special access, often implying a code, a password, or a hidden purpose.
Learn more →kon-fee-den-see-ALkon.fi.ðenˈsjal
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.)
seh-KREH-tahseˈkɾe.ta
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.
Related Translations
Learn Spanish with Inklingo
Interactive stories, personalized learning, and more.