Inklingo

How to Say "personal" in Spanish

English → Spanish

personales

per-so-NAH-les/peɾ.soˈna.les/

AdjectiveA1General
Use 'personales' for matters, belongings, or issues that are specific to an individual and not necessarily private or secret.
A close-up view of a hand holding a pen, writing in a small, closed book secured with a tiny gold lock, symbolizing privacy and something relating exclusively to one person.

Examples

Necesito hablar contigo sobre asuntos personales.

I need to talk to you about personal matters.

Todos tienen sus razones personales para tomar esa decisión.

Everyone has their personal reasons for making that decision.

Las llamadas personales están prohibidas durante el horario de trabajo.

Private calls are prohibited during work hours.

Adjective Agreement

Since 'personales' ends in '-es', it is the plural form. It must be used to describe plural nouns, whether they are masculine (asuntos) or feminine (razones).

Using the Singular Form

Mistake: “Tengo dos problema personal.”

Correction: Tengo dos problemas personales. (The adjective must be plural to match the plural noun 'problemas'.)

personal

/per-so-NAL//peɾso'nal/

AdjectiveA2General
Use 'personal' when referring to something that is one's own opinion, characteristic, or feeling, emphasizing individuality.
A small, brightly colored private diary with a lock and key, emphasizing personal ownership and privacy.

Examples

Esta es mi opinión personal.

This is my personal opinion.

Por favor, no toques mis cosas personales.

Please, don't touch my personal things.

Necesito un día de asuntos personales para ir al médico.

I need a personal day to go to the doctor.

Matching the Noun

As an adjective, 'personal' changes its ending to match the thing it's describing. For plural things, add an '-es': asuntos personales (personal matters).

Forgetting the Plural

Mistake: “Tengo dos problema personal.”

Correction: Tengo dos problemas personales. Because 'problemas' is plural, the adjective describing it also needs to be plural.

propias

PROH-pee-ahs/ˈpɾopjas/

AdjectiveA2General
Use 'propias' to emphasize ownership or that something belongs exclusively to oneself or a group.
A child carefully holding a brightly colored, unique toy car in both hands, emphasizing their personal possession of the item.

Examples

Necesitamos usar nuestras propias herramientas.

We need to use our own tools.

Las niñas tienen sus propias habitaciones.

The girls have their own rooms.

Esta es la opinión de ellas, sus ideas propias.

This is their opinion, their very own ideas.

Adjective Agreement

"Propias" is the feminine plural form. Make sure the noun it describes is also feminine and plural (e.g., 'ideas', 'manos', 'cosas').

Adding Emphasis

This word is often used right after a possessive word (like 'mis', 'sus', 'nuestras') to really stress the idea of ownership: 'mis propias cosas' (my own things).

Using the wrong gender

Mistake: “Hicieron sus propios casas. (Incorrect, 'casas' is feminine)”

Correction: Hicieron sus propias casas. ('propias' matches the feminine plural noun 'casas').

privado

pree-V AH -doh/pɾiˈβaðo/

AdjectiveB1General
Use 'privado' when you mean something is not public, requiring confidentiality or seclusion.
A small, cozy house partially hidden behind a high, closed wooden fence, emphasizing privacy.

Examples

Necesito hablar contigo en un lugar privado.

I need to talk to you in a private place.

Esta es información estrictamente privada.

This is strictly private information.

El club tiene una playa privada para sus miembros.

The club has a private beach for its members.

Matching the Ending

Like many Spanish descriptions, 'privado' must match the thing it describes. Use 'privado' for masculine singular things (el coche privado), 'privada' for feminine singular things (la vida privada), 'privados' for masculine plural things, and 'privadas' for feminine plural things.

Ignoring Gender

Mistake: “Hablamos de la tema privado.”

Correction: Hablamos del tema privado. (Tema is masculine, so 'privado' is correct.)

Confusing 'Personales' vs. 'Personal'

Learners often confuse 'personales' and 'personal'. Remember that 'personales' (plural) is used for matters or things belonging to someone, while 'personal' (singular) often describes an opinion or characteristic that is uniquely yours.

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