Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
How to Say Confidence in Spanish
Confianza · noun · kohn-fee-AHN-sah
"Confianza" is the go-to Spanish noun for confidence, but it carries a broader meaning than its English counterpart: it also means trust. Whether you are talking about believing in your own abilities or placing trust in another person, "confianza" covers both. For self-confidence specifically, "seguridad en uno mismo" or "autoconfianza" offer more precision.
kohn-fee-AHN-sah
La confianza en uno mismo se construye con la práctica diaria.
Self-confidence is built through daily practice.
Confidence in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for confidence, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| confianza | confidence | kohn-fee-AHN-sah | Default, widely understood |
| seguridad | confidence | self-confidence / self-assurance | |
| autoconfianza | confidence | self-confidence (formal) |
How Native Speakers Use Confianza
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Self-confidence
Hablar en público le ha dado mucha seguridad en sí misma.
Public speaking has given her a lot of self-confidence.
"Seguridad en sí misma" (feminine) stresses inner self-assurance rather than trust in others.
Trust between people
Entre buenos amigos siempre hay confianza para decir la verdad.
Between good friends there is always the confidence to tell the truth.
Here "confianza" operates closer to "trust" — the mutual openness shared between close friends.
Professional setting
El equipo perdió la confianza después de tres derrotas seguidas.
The team lost confidence after three consecutive defeats.
In sports and business, "confianza" means belief in one's ability to succeed, much like English confidence.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Confianza
Using confidencia instead of confianza
Incorrect: Tengo mucha confidencia en mi equipo.
Correct: Tengo mucha confianza en mi equipo.
"Confidencia" means a secret or confidential remark, not confidence. It is a false cognate trap for English speakers. The correct word is "confianza."
Omitting the reflexive for self-confidence
Incorrect: Necesita más seguridad. (ambiguous)
Correct: Necesita más seguridad en sí mismo.
"Seguridad" alone can mean safety or security. Adding "en sí mismo/a" clarifies that you mean self-confidence, not physical safety.
Lock in Confidence Vocabulary with the Parrot Method
Why word lists alone don't stick
Memorizing a translation feels productive, but most learners forget 70% of what they studied within 48 hours. Vocabulary needs spaced repetition AND real-world exposure to transfer to long-term memory.
See Confianza used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using confianza in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear La confianza en uno mismo se construye con la práctica diaria. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
Save, review, repeat, stay consistent
Tap any word to save it. Parrot's spaced-repetition system surfaces it right before you'd forget, no manual flashcard creation. The watch, parrot back, save, review cycle turns recognition into fluency at 2.7x the speed of traditional study.
Common Questions About Confidence in Spanish
- Does confianza mean trust or confidence?
- Confianza encompasses both concepts — interpersonal trust (Le tengo confianza — I trust him) and personal self-confidence (Tiene confianza en su talento — She has confidence in her talent). The surrounding context always makes the intended meaning clear.
- What does 'en confianza' mean?
- "En confianza" is an idiomatic expression meaning in confidence or between us. It signals that what follows is private or informal: "Te lo digo en confianza" means "I'm telling you this in confidence."
- How do you say 'confident' as an adjective?
- "Seguro/a de sí mismo/a" or "confiado/a." Be careful with "confiado" — depending on context, it can mean confident or overly trusting (gullible).