How to Say "personal" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “personal” is “personales” — use 'personales' for general matters related to a specific individual, often implying privacy or things that concern just one person.
personales
per-so-NAH-lespeɾ.soˈna.les
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-NALpeɾso'nal
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-ahsˈpɾopjas
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 -dohpɾiˈβaðo
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.)
subjetivo
soob-heh-TEE-bohsuβxeˈtiβo
Examples
La belleza es algo muy subjetivo.
Beauty is something very subjective.
No puedes dar una nota basada en un criterio subjetivo.
You cannot give a grade based on a subjective criterion.
Su análisis del problema fue demasiado subjetivo y poco profesional.
His analysis of the problem was too subjective and unprofessional.
Matching the Ending
This word changes its ending to match the person or thing you are describing. Use 'subjetivo' for masculine items, 'subjetiva' for feminine items, and add an 's' for plural (subjetivos/subjetivas).
Word Order
Like most adjectives in Spanish, it usually comes after the thing it describes. For example, 'una opinión subjetiva' (a subjective opinion).
Confusing 'Subjective' with 'Subject'
Mistake: “Using 'el subjetivo' to mean 'the subject of a sentence'.”
Correction: Use 'el sujeto' for the grammar term 'subject', and keep 'subjetivo' for describing opinions.
Personales vs. Personal
Related Translations
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