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How to Say "intimate" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “intimate” is “cercano” — use 'cercano' when describing someone who is approachable, warm, and easy to get close to, often in a friendly or professional context.

English → Spanish

cercano

sehr-KAH-nohseɾˈkano

adjectiveB2general
Use 'cercano' when describing someone who is approachable, warm, and easy to get close to, often in a friendly or professional context.
Two smiling figures, one taller and one shorter, sharing a warm, affectionate hug.

Examples

Ella es una persona muy cercana y siempre escucha a sus empleados.

She is a very warm/approachable person and always listens to her employees.

Solo compartí mi secreto con mis amigos más cercanos.

I only shared my secret with my closest friends.

Describing Personality

When 'cercano' describes a person's character, it means they are approachable, friendly, and easy to talk to, like saying they are 'close to people'.

estrecho

es-TRE-choesˈtɾet͡ʃo

adjectiveB1general
Choose 'estrecho' to describe a relationship characterized by deep emotional connection, strong bonds, and significant closeness between people.
Two friends walking together with their arms around each other's shoulders.

Examples

Ellos mantienen una relación muy estrecha.

They maintain a very close relationship.

Hay un vínculo muy estrecho entre la dieta y la salud.

There is a very close link between diet and health.

Trabajamos en estrecha colaboración con el equipo de ventas.

We work in close collaboration with the sales team.

Abstract Use

When used for relationships, 'estrecho' doesn't mean physical narrowness, but rather that there is no 'space' or distance between two people's feelings.

Close friends

Mistake: “Él es mi amigo estrecho.”

Correction: Say 'Él es un amigo cercano' or 'amigo íntimo'. While 'relación estrecha' is perfect, calling a person an 'amigo estrecho' sounds a bit unnatural.

íntimo

adjectiveB1general
Use 'íntimo' to refer to a very deep, personal, and often private connection, typically used for close friends or family members.

Examples

Juan es un amigo íntimo de la familia.

Juan is a close friend of the family.

familiar

fah-mee-lee-AHRfa.miˈljar

adjectiveB1general
Employ 'familiar' when something or someone evokes a sense of recognition or personal connection, like recognizing a face or a scent.
A colorful illustration of a person smiling warmly while gently petting a dog they clearly recognize.

Examples

Esa cara me resulta familiar, ¿la conozco de algún sitio?

That face looks familiar to me, do I know her from somewhere?

Ella siempre tiene un trato muy familiar con sus empleados.

She always has a very personal (or informal/friendly) relationship with her employees.

El tema del cambio climático es muy familiar para los jóvenes.

The topic of climate change is very well-known to young people.

Feeling Familiar

To say something feels familiar, Spanish often uses the verb resultar: 'Esto me resulta familiar' (This turns out/seems familiar to me).

Confusing 'Íntimo' and 'Estrecho'

Learners often confuse 'íntimo' and 'estrecho' because both imply deep closeness. Remember, 'íntimo' leans towards personal secrets and deep emotional bonds, while 'estrecho' emphasizes the strength and closeness of the relationship itself.

Related Translations

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