Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
Reliable in Spanish: Confiable, Fiable, and De Confianza
Confiable · adjective · kohn-fee-AH-bleh
Reliable in Spanish is confiable (kohn-fee-AH-bleh) in Latin America and fiable in Spain. Both describe something dependable. For people, de confianza (trustworthy) is a warm, natural alternative.
Confiable is kohn-fee-AH-bleh, four syllables. Fiable is fee-AH-bleh.
Necesitamos un proveedor confiable para este proyecto.
We need a reliable supplier for this project.
Reliable in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for reliable, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| confiable | reliable | kohn-fee-AH-bleh | Default, widely understood |
| fiable | reliable | Spain | |
| de confianza | reliable | trustworthy (for people) | |
| seguro | reliable | reliable, safe |
How Native Speakers Use Confiable
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
A reliable car
Mi carro es viejo pero muy confiable.
My car is old but very reliable.
Confiable works for machines, services, and people.
In Spain
Esta marca es muy fiable; nunca falla.
This brand is very reliable; it never fails.
Fiable is the standard word in Spain.
A trustworthy person
Juan es de confianza, puedes contarle todo.
Juan is reliable; you can tell him anything.
De confianza is warmer and more personal than confiable.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Confiable
Using fiable in Latin America
Incorrect: Ese servicio es fiable. (in Mexico)
Correct: Ese servicio es confiable.
Fiable sounds formal or foreign in Latin America. Confiable is the natural choice there.
Confusing confiable with confidencial
Incorrect: La información es confiable. (meaning confidential)
Correct: La información es confidencial.
Confiable means reliable/trustworthy. Confidencial means confidential/secret. Different roots despite the visual similarity.
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Common Questions About Reliable in Spanish
- How do you say reliable in Spanish?
- Reliable is confiable (Latin America) or fiable (Spain). For a person, de confianza works beautifully.
- Is confiable or fiable more common?
- Confiable dominates Latin America; fiable dominates Spain. Both are correct and understood across the Spanish-speaking world.
- How do I say 'unreliable' in Spanish?
- Unreliable is poco confiable or no fiable. Informal: no es de fiar (you can't trust it/them).