How to Say "private" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “private” is “personal” — use this when referring to something that belongs to or concerns an individual, not for public view or general use.
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.
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.
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-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'.)
particular
par-tee-koo-larpaɾ.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.
discreto
dees-KREH-tohdisˈkɾeto
Examples
Mi mejor amigo es muy discreto; nunca cuenta mis secretos.
My best friend is very discreet; he never tells my secrets.
Fue muy discreto al darme la noticia para no ponerme triste delante de todos.
He was very tactful when giving me the news so as not to make me sad in front of everyone.
Para trabajar en esta oficina, tienes que ser una persona discreta.
To work in this office, you have to be a discreet person.
Matching Gender and Number
This word must change to match the person you are describing. Use 'discreto' for a man, 'discreta' for a woman, and add an 's' for groups.
Using with Ser vs. Estar
Use 'ser' if being discreet is part of a person's personality. Use 'estar' if they are just acting discreetly in a specific moment.
Confusing with 'Discrete'
Mistake: “Using 'discreto' only for math or separate parts.”
Correction: In Spanish, the most common use is about personality and keeping secrets, while in English 'discrete' usually means 'separate'.
exclusivo
eks-kloo-SEE-boheks.klu.ˈsi.βo
Examples
Este club es exclusivo para los residentes del edificio.
This club is exclusive for the building's residents.
Tengo el uso exclusivo de la oficina durante la mañana.
I have the sole use of the office during the morning.
La periodista consiguió una entrevista exclusiva con el presidente.
The journalist got an exclusive interview with the president.
Matching Gender and Number
Since this word describes something, it must change to match the item it describes: 'un club exclusivo' (male/singular), 'una zona exclusiva' (female/singular), or 'servicios exclusivos' (male/plural).
Position After the Noun
In Spanish, this word usually comes after the person or thing it describes to distinguish it from others, like 'un derecho exclusivo'.
Using it as 'Exclusively'
Mistake: “Hablo exclusivo con él.”
Correction: Hablo exclusivamente con él. (Use the -mente version when describing an action/verb rather than a thing/noun).
individual
een-dee-bee-DWALindiβiˈðwal
Examples
He reservado una habitación individual en el hotel.
I have booked a single room at the hotel.
Los estudiantes necesitan atención individual para aprender mejor.
Students need individual attention to learn better.
El tenis puede ser un deporte individual o de dobles.
Tennis can be an individual or doubles sport.
One form for everyone
This word doesn't change its ending for men or women. You can say 'un cuarto individual' (masculine) or 'una cama individual' (feminine) using the exact same word.
How to talk about more than one
To talk about multiple things, just add '-es' to the end: 'clases individuales'.
Confusing it with 'soltero'
Mistake: “Soy individual.”
Correction: Soy soltero/a.
confidencial
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.)
reservado
re-ser-VA-doreseɾˈβaðo
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.
íntimo
Examples
Escribió sus pensamientos más íntimos en un diario.
He wrote his innermost thoughts in a diary.
privado
pree-V AH -dohpɾiˈβaðo
Examples
El general saludó a cada privado de la tropa.
The general greeted every private in the troop.
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.)
soldado
sohl-DAH-dohsolˈdaðo
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.
Personal vs. Privado
Related Translations
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