Inklingo

How to Say "to entrust" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “to entrust” is “confiar” — use 'confiar' when you are giving something valuable, like a secret or your trust, to someone, implying a belief in their integrity or ability.

confiar🔊B1

Use 'confiar' when you are giving something valuable, like a secret or your trust, to someone, implying a belief in their integrity or ability.

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encargar🔊B1

Choose 'encargar' when you are assigning a specific task or responsibility to someone, often in a more informal or everyday context.

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encomendar🔊B1

Use 'encomendar' when officially assigning a significant responsibility or a specific mission, often in a professional or formal setting.

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depositar🔊B2

Employ 'depositar' when you are placing complete faith or trust in someone, emphasizing the act of handing over that confidence.

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cometer🔊C1

Use 'cometer' specifically when delegating a duty or task, often implying a formal transfer of authority or a specific assignment.

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English → Spanish

confiar

kon-fyahrkoɱˈfjaɾ

verbB1general
Use 'confiar' when you are giving something valuable, like a secret or your trust, to someone, implying a belief in their integrity or ability.
A storybook illustration depicting one person carefully handing a small, ornate, locked wooden chest to another person who is receiving it with great care, symbolizing entrusting a valuable item.

Examples

Le confié mi secreto a mi mejor amigo.

I confided my secret to my best friend.

El director me confió la dirección del proyecto.

The director entrusted me with the management of the project.

Voy a confiarte las llaves de mi casa.

I'm going to entrust you with my house keys.

Different Structure: 'confiar algo a alguien'

When you entrust something, the structure changes. You use a to show who is receiving the secret or task. The pattern is: confiar [the thing] a [the person].

Mixing up 'en' and 'a'

Mistake: “Le confié mi secreto en mi amigo.”

Correction: Le confié mi secreto a mi amigo. Use 'a' when giving something (like a secret) to someone, and 'en' when simply expressing trust in them.

encargar

en-kar-GAReŋ.kaɾˈɣaɾ

verbB1general
Choose 'encargar' when you are assigning a specific task or responsibility to someone, often in a more informal or everyday context.
A friendly baker in a white apron handing a freshly baked box of pastries to a waiting customer.

Examples

Encargué una pizza para la cena.

I ordered a pizza for dinner.

Le encargué el proyecto a María.

I put Mary in charge of the project.

Te encargo que compres leche al volver.

I'm asking you to buy milk on your way back.

Two different uses

You can 'encargar' an object (order something) OR 'encargar' a person (give someone a task). The structure changes: 'encargar algo' vs 'encargar a alguien'.

The que construction

When you want someone to do something, use 'encargar que + subjunctive': 'Te encargo que Llegues temprano' (I ask you to arrive early).

Reflexive form

'Encargarse de' means 'to take care of' or 'to handle': 'Yo me encargo de la cocina' (I'll take care of the kitchen).

Missing the preposition

Mistake: “Decir 'encargar algo' when giving a task to a person”

Correction: Use 'encargar algo a alguien': 'Le encargué el trabajo a Juan' (I assigned the work to Juan), not 'encargué Juan el trabajo'.

Wrong verb form after que

Mistake: “Using the infinitive after 'encargar que'”

Correction: Use the subjunctive: 'Te encargo que vengas' (I ask you to come), not 'te encargo venir'.

encomendar

en-ko-men-DAHRenkompenˈdaɾ

verbB1formal
Use 'encomendar' when officially assigning a significant responsibility or a specific mission, often in a professional or formal setting.
A child carefully handing a small, glowing treasure chest to a trusted adult, representing the act of entrusting a responsibility.

Examples

Mi jefe me encomendó la dirección del proyecto.

My boss entrusted me with the management of the project.

Ella encomendó sus hijos al cuidado de su madre.

She entrusted her children to her mother's care.

Antes de la cirugía, el paciente se encomendó a Dios.

Before the surgery, the patient commended himself to God.

The Stem Change

This verb is a 'boot verb.' The 'e' in the middle changes to 'ie' in all forms where you emphasize that syllable (yo encomiendo), but it stays 'e' when the emphasis is on the ending (nosotros encomendamos).

Using 'se' for protection

When you use the reflexive 'se' (encomendarse), it usually means you are asking for protection or help from a higher power or someone influential.

Confusing with 'Command'

Mistake: “Using 'encomendar' to mean 'to give an order' like 'command'.”

Correction: Use 'mandar' or 'ordenar' for simple commands. 'Encomendar' is for giving a responsibility or task.

depositar

deh-poh-see-tahrdeposiˈtaɾ

verbB2formal
Employ 'depositar' when you are placing complete faith or trust in someone, emphasizing the act of handing over that confidence.
A small child holding the hand of a smiling adult while walking.

Examples

He depositado toda mi confianza en el nuevo director.

I have placed all my trust in the new director.

El pueblo depositó sus esperanzas en el cambio político.

The people placed their hopes in the political change.

Placing feelings like objects

In Spanish, you 'deposit' trust or hope as if you were physically putting an object into someone's hands for safekeeping.

cometer

koh-meh-TERko.meˈteɾ

verbC1formal
Use 'cometer' specifically when delegating a duty or task, often implying a formal transfer of authority or a specific assignment.
A colorful illustration of one adult character handing a large, important-looking golden key to another adult character, symbolizing the transfer of responsibility.

Examples

El director cometió la nueva tarea al equipo más experimentado.

The director entrusted the new task to the most experienced team.

Use Modern Alternatives

While 'cometer' is historically correct for 'to entrust,' modern Spanish speakers almost always use 'encargar' or 'confiar' instead. Stick to those verbs for daily conversation.

Confusing Task Assignment vs. Trust

Learners often confuse 'encargar' and 'encomendar' with 'confiar'. Remember that 'encargar' and 'encomendar' are primarily about assigning a task or responsibility, while 'confiar' is about placing trust or belief in someone or something.

Related Translations

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