How to Say "private" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “private” is “privado” — use this when referring to something not open to the public, like a place, event, or space..
privado
pree-V AH -doh/pɾiˈβaðo/
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.
El general saludó a cada privado de la tropa.
The general greeted every private in the troop.
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.)
personales
per-so-NAH-les/peɾ.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-NAL//peɾso'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.
particular
par-tee-koo-lar/paɾ.ti.kuˈlaɾ/
Examples
Necesito una razón particular para justificar mi ausencia.
I need a specific reason to justify my absence.
Ella tiene una manera particular de ver el mundo.
She has a particular way of seeing the world.
En este caso particular, la regla no aplica.
In this particular case, the rule does not apply.
Invariable Form
Unlike many Spanish adjectives, 'particular' doesn't change its ending for masculine or feminine nouns. It always stays the same, but you must add an 's' for plural: 'particulares'.
Confusing with 'Privado'
Mistake: “Using 'particular' when referring to a restricted place (like a bathroom).”
Correction: Use 'privado' for places restricted from public access (e.g., 'acceso privado'). Use 'particular' for things that are unique or personal to someone.
soldado
sohl-DAH-doh/solˈdaðo/
Examples
Mi tío es un soldado que sirve en la armada.
My uncle is a soldier who serves in the navy.
Vimos una estatua del soldado desconocido en la plaza central.
We saw a statue of the unknown soldier in the central square.
Gender Use
Even when referring to a woman in the military, the masculine form 'soldado' is often used, preceded by 'la' (e.g., 'la soldado'). The term 'soldada' exists but is much less common.
confidencial
kon-fee-den-see-AL/kon.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.)
reservado
re-ser-VA-do/reseɾˈβaðo/
Examples
Al principio, el nuevo jefe parecía muy reservado, pero luego se abrió.
At first, the new boss seemed very reserved (private), but then he opened up.
Prefiero ser reservada con mis planes hasta que estén listos.
I prefer to be private about my plans until they are ready.
privado
Examples
El general saludó a cada privado de la tropa.
The general greeted every private in the troop.
Privado vs. Personal/Personales
Related Translations
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