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How to Say "restricted" in Spanish

English → Spanish

restringido

rreh-streen-HEE-dohrestɾinˈxiðo

adjectiveB1general
Use 'restringido' when access or actions are limited by official rules, boundaries, or policies.
A small rope fence forming a circle around a single bright flower in a grassy field.

Examples

El acceso a esta área está restringido al personal autorizado.

Access to this area is restricted to authorized personnel.

Tenemos un presupuesto muy restringido para el viaje.

We have a very limited budget for the trip.

Es un club privado con un número restringido de miembros.

It is a private club with a restricted number of members.

Matching the Gender

Since this word acts as a description, it must change its ending to match what you are talking about. Use 'restringido' for masculine items and 'restringida' for feminine items.

Using 'Estar' or 'Ser'

Use 'está restringido' when something is currently in a state of being limited (like a closed road), and 'es restringido' when being limited is a permanent rule or characteristic.

Wrong Ending

Mistake: “La entrada está restringido.”

Correction: La entrada está restringida. Since 'entrada' is feminine, the description needs to end in -a.

Strict vs. Restricted

Mistake: “Mi padre es muy restringido.”

Correction: Mi padre es muy estricto. Use 'estricto' to describe a person's personality and 'restringido' for things like access, budgets, or spaces.

condicional

kon-dee-syo-NALkon.di.sjoˈnal

adjectiveB1general
Choose 'condicional' when a situation or agreement is dependent on specific conditions or requirements being met.
A closed, wrapped gift box sits on a pedestal next to a large, bright red button. A dotted line connects the button to the box, visually representing that the box opening is conditional upon pressing the button.

Examples

La venta del coche es condicional a que yo encuentre un trabajo nuevo.

The sale of the car is conditional on me finding a new job.

El juez le concedió la libertad condicional después de diez años.

The judge granted him conditional release after ten years.

Tengo una oferta de trabajo condicional a pasar el examen médico.

I have a job offer conditional upon passing the medical exam.

Gender Agreement

Since 'condicional' ends in -al, it is the same form for masculine and feminine nouns (e.g., 'el acuerdo condicional,' 'la oferta condicional').

atado

ah-TAH-dohaˈtaðo

adjectiveB2informal
Use 'atado' when someone feels unable to act or speak freely due to nervousness, embarrassment, or specific circumstances.
A small, friendly mouse standing awkwardly, looking down at its feet with a slight blush on its cheeks, indicating shyness.

Examples

Cuando conoció a la jefa, se sintió muy atado y no dijo nada.

When he met the boss, he felt very tongue-tied and didn't say anything.

No puedo ayudarte con eso, estoy atado por el contrato.

I can't help you with that, I'm restricted by the contract.

Use with 'Estar'

This meaning almost always uses the verb 'estar' (to be) because it describes a temporary emotional state or a current restriction, not a permanent characteristic.

privado

pree-V AH -dohpɾiˈβaðo

adjectiveC1formal
Select 'privado' when someone has been deprived of something essential, such as rights, freedom, or possessions.
A small, droopy plant sitting in dry, cracked brown earth, indicating a lack of water.

Examples

Están privados de sus derechos básicos.

They are deprived of their basic rights.

El paciente se sintió privado de sueño durante días.

The patient felt deprived of sleep for days.

Always Needs 'de'

When 'privado' is used to mean 'deprived' or 'lacking,' it is always followed by the word 'de' (of/from) before mentioning the thing that is missing.

Action vs. State

This meaning uses the verb 'estar' (to be in a state of) much more often than 'ser' (to be inherently), because being 'deprived' is usually a temporary or resulting state.

Rule-based vs. Personal Limitation

Learners often confuse 'restringido' (limited by rules) with 'atado' (feeling unable to act). Remember, 'restringido' applies to external limitations like access policies, while 'atado' describes an internal feeling of being stuck or unable to move/speak freely.

Related Translations

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