Inklingo

How to Say "trustworthy" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “trustworthy” is “confiable” — use 'confiable' when referring to a person's general character and dependability, implying they are someone you can count on..

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confiable

/kon-FYAH-bleh//konˈfjaβle/

adjectiveB1general
Use 'confiable' when referring to a person's general character and dependability, implying they are someone you can count on.
A sturdy blue car driving smoothly on a winding road through a bright, sunny landscape.

Examples

Mi mejor amigo es una persona muy confiable.

My best friend is a very trustworthy person.

Necesito un coche que sea confiable para viajar.

I need a car that is reliable for traveling.

Esa no me parece una fuente de noticias confiable.

That doesn't seem like a reliable news source to me.

One size fits all

This word ends in -e, which means it doesn't change for men or women. You can say 'un hombre confiable' or 'una mujer confiable'.

Confiable vs. Confiado

Mistake: “Using 'confiado' to mean reliable.”

Correction: Use 'confiable' for someone you can trust. 'Confiado' usually means someone who is too trusting or overconfident.

honesta

oh-NESS-tah/oˈnesta/

adjectiveA1general
Use 'honesta' when emphasizing someone's truthfulness and moral integrity; it's closely related to being truthful.
A young girl with a sincere and open expression holding an empty, transparent glass jar directly in front of her chest, symbolizing honesty and having nothing to hide.

Examples

Ella es una persona muy honesta y siempre dice la verdad.

She is a very honest person and always tells the truth.

Necesitas dar una respuesta honesta a la pregunta del profesor.

You need to give an honest answer to the teacher's question.

Su reputación honesta la precede en la comunidad.

Her honest reputation precedes her in the community.

Gender Agreement

Since 'honesta' ends in -a, it is used to describe feminine things (like mujer or opinión). If you were describing a man, you would use 'honesto' (with an -o).

Mixing Genders

Mistake: “El jueza es honesta.”

Correction: La jueza es honesta. (The adjective must match the feminine noun 'jueza' and the feminine article 'La'.)

honrado

ohn-RAH-doh/onˈraðo/

adjectiveB1general
Use 'honrado' to describe someone who is upright, honorable, and acts with integrity, often in a professional or business context.
A child with an open, sincere expression, holding a single transparent glass marble in their hand, symbolizing truth and sincerity.

Examples

Mi abuelo era un sastre honrado que siempre cobraba un precio justo.

My grandfather was an honest tailor who always charged a fair price.

Necesitamos políticos honrados que digan la verdad.

We need honorable politicians who tell the truth.

Ella es una mujer honrada, puedes confiar en ella.

She is an honest woman, you can trust her.

Changing Endings

Like most Spanish adjectives, 'honrado' changes its ending to match the person or thing it describes: 'honrada' (feminine singular), 'honrados' (masculine plural), and 'honradas' (feminine plural).

Confusing 'Honesto' and 'Honrado'

Mistake: “Using 'honesto' only, when 'honrado' might be better.”

Correction: 'Honrado' often carries a stronger sense of integrity and respectability, especially regarding business or public life, while 'honesto' focuses more on simple truthfulness.

adjectiveA2general
Use 'responsable' when referring to someone who is dependable and accountable for their duties or actions, highlighting their reliability in fulfilling obligations.

Examples

Los empleados responsables siempre llegan a tiempo.

The responsible employees always arrive on time.

Confusing Honesty and Dependability

Learners often confuse 'honesta/honrado' (honest, truthful) with 'confiable' (dependable, reliable). Remember that while an honest person is often trustworthy, 'confiable' specifically focuses on your ability to rely on them, whereas 'honesto' focuses on their moral truthfulness.

Related Translations

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