Cette page dans ta langue

English

فارسی

العربية

Deutsch

Español

日本語

한국어

Português

中文

हिन्दी

B1 adjective #7,500 le plus courant 10 min de lecture

fidedigno

Top 7,500

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces fidedigno en 30 secondes

Explication fidedigno in your Level:

At the A1 level, 'fidedigno' is a very advanced word that you probably won't use yet. However, you can understand it as a very strong way of saying 'good' or 'true' for information. Imagine you have a book with facts about animals. If the book is 'fidedigno,' it means the facts are correct. You usually learn 'bueno' (good) or 'verdad' (truth) first. 'Fidedigno' is like saying something is 100% true and you can trust it. You might see it in a news headline. For example, 'una fuente fidedigna' is like saying 'a very good person who tells the truth.' Just remember that it ends in -o for masculine things and -a for feminine things, just like 'rojo' or 'alto.' It is a long word, so take your time to say it: fi-de-dig-no.

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour lire l'explication complète

At the A2 level, you are starting to describe things with more detail. 'Fidedigno' is a formal adjective that means 'reliable' or 'trustworthy.' You will mostly use it when talking about news, books, or what someone said. While you might use 'confiable' for a friend you can trust, you use 'fidedigno' for a report or a story that is accurate. For example, if you are doing a project for school, you need 'fuentes fidedignas' (reliable sources). It's important to notice the spelling: it has a 'g' before the 'n.' Practice saying it slowly. If you describe 'la información' (feminine), you must say 'la información fidedigna.' If you describe 'los datos' (masculine plural), you say 'los datos fidedignos.'

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour lire l'explication complète

At the B1 level, you should start integrating 'fidedigno' into your formal writing and more serious conversations. This word is essential for discussing the credibility of information. Instead of always saying 'esta información es verdad,' you can say 'esta información es fidedigna.' This makes you sound more professional. It is commonly used in journalistic contexts. You will often see it in the phrase 'según fuentes fidedignas' (according to reliable sources). Use it when you want to emphasize that something is not just a rumor, but has been verified. It is also useful in academic settings when discussing whether a historical account or a scientific result can be trusted. Remember that it specifically refers to the *quality* of the information being 'worthy of faith' (fide + digno).

At the B2 level, you should be comfortable using 'fidedigno' in various contexts, especially in debates and formal essays. You should understand the distinction between 'fidedigno' and its synonyms like 'veraz' or 'fehaciente.' While 'veraz' refers to the truthfulness of a person, 'fidedigno' refers to the reliability of the content or the source itself. In a B2 exam, using 'fidedigno' to describe a text or a testimony will show the examiner that you have a command of higher-level vocabulary. You might use it to critique a narrator in a book: 'El narrador no es fidedigno because he is biased.' Or in a business context: 'Necesitamos un informe fidedigno antes de invertir.' It conveys a sense of objectivity and rigorous verification.

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour lire l'explication complète

At the C1 level, you should appreciate the stylistic weight of 'fidedigno.' It is a word that carries authority. You will encounter it in legal documents, high-level journalism, and academic literature. At this level, you should also be aware of its derivatives and how it fits into the broader semantic field of 'certainty' and 'evidence.' You might use it to discuss the 'fidedignidad' (reliability) of a digital archive. You should also be able to use it in complex sentence structures, such as 'Resulta imperativo que las crónicas sean lo más fidedignas posible para preservar la memoria histórica.' It is often used to contrast with 'especulativo' (speculative) or 'tendencioso' (biased). Your usage should reflect an understanding that 'fidedigno' implies a source that has withstood scrutiny.

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour lire l'explication complète

At the C2 level, 'fidedigno' is part of your precise linguistic toolkit. You use it to make fine distinctions in meaning. You might discuss the nuances between a 'traducción fiel' (loyal translation) and a 'traducción fidedigna' (accurate translation that captures the factual essence). You are likely to use it in philosophical or legal discussions about the nature of truth and testimony. You understand that 'fidedigno' is not just about being 'correct,' but about the *authority* and *authenticity* of the source. You might use it in literary analysis to discuss the 'pacto de lectura' and whether a text presents itself as a fidedigno account of reality. At this level, your use of the word is effortless, and you can deploy it in highly formal oratory or complex academic writing to establish a tone of absolute credibility.

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour lire l'explication complète

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

fidedigno en 30 secondes

Fidedigno means reliable or trustworthy, specifically regarding information, sources, or documents.
It comes from Latin roots meaning 'worthy of faith' and is used in formal contexts.
It must agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies (fidedigno, fidedigna, etc.).
Commonly found in journalism, law, and academia to describe verified and accurate data.

The Spanish adjective fidedigno is a sophisticated term that translates most directly to 'reliable,' 'trustworthy,' or 'credible' in English. However, its usage is often more specific than the general English word 'reliable.' It is derived from the Latin roots fides (faith) and dignus (worthy), literally meaning 'worthy of faith.' In contemporary Spanish, it is primarily employed to describe sources of information, documents, witnesses, or data that can be trusted implicitly because they are accurate, authentic, and verified. When you use fidedigno, you are not just saying something is 'good'; you are making a claim about its objective truth and the validity of its origin. This word is a staple in academic, legal, and journalistic contexts where the distinction between rumor and verified fact is paramount.

Semantic Nuance: Unlike 'confiable,' which can describe a person's character or a car's performance, 'fidedigno' is almost always reserved for the quality of information or the person providing that information in an official capacity.

In a world of 'fake news,' the term fidedigno has seen a resurgence in media literacy discussions. A 'fuente fidedigna' (reliable source) is the gold standard for any reporter. If a historian finds a 'documento fidedigno,' it means the document is an original or a perfectly preserved copy that accurately reflects the events of the time.

Para ganar el juicio, el abogado debe presentar un testimonio fidedigno que convenza al jurado sin dejar lugar a dudas.

Beyond the legal realm, you might hear it in scientific circles. A study is only as good as its data; if the data is not fidedigno, the entire conclusion collapses. It suggests a level of rigor and scrutiny that has already been applied. It is also important to note the gender and number agreement. Since it is an adjective ending in -o, it changes to fidedigna for feminine nouns and fidedignos/fidedignas for plurals. For instance, 'noticias fidedignas' (reliable news).

Colloquial vs. Formal: While perfectly understandable in daily speech, using it to describe a friend who shows up on time might sound a bit overly formal; 'puntual' or 'de confianza' would be more natural there.

Es difícil encontrar una biografía fidedigna de ese personaje histórico tan misterioso.

Los resultados de la encuesta no se consideran fidedignos debido al pequeño tamaño de la muestra.

Professional Application: In business, a 'traducción fidedigna' is a certified translation that accurately represents the original document without embellishment or error.

Necesitamos un informe fidedigno sobre el estado de las finanzas de la empresa.

El testigo proporcionó una descripción fidedigna del sospechoso.

Using fidedigno correctly demonstrates a high command of Spanish vocabulary, marking you as a speaker who appreciates precision and formal elegance.

Using fidedigno effectively requires an understanding of its placement and the nouns it typically modifies. As an adjective, it usually follows the noun it describes, which is the standard position for descriptive adjectives in Spanish. For example, 'una fuente fidedigna' (a reliable source). However, in poetic or highly formal literary contexts, it might occasionally precede the noun for emphasis, though this is rare. The most critical aspect of its usage is agreement in gender and number.

Grammar Rule: Gender Agreement: If the noun is masculine, use 'fidedigno' (singular) or 'fidedignos' (plural). If feminine, use 'fidedigna' (singular) or 'fidedignas' (plural).

Consider its use with abstract nouns related to information. You might say 'Esa información no me parece fidedigna' (That information doesn't seem reliable to me). Here, the adjective agrees with the feminine noun 'información.' In a sentence like 'Los datos son fidedignos,' the adjective is masculine plural to match 'datos.'

No podemos tomar una decisión sin datos fidedignos.

Often, fidedigno is part of a prepositional phrase or a complex sentence structure. 'Según fuentes fidedignas...' (According to reliable sources...) is a very common way to start a news report. This phrase adds an air of authority and professionalism to the statement.

Common Pairings: Commonly paired with: fuente (source), testimonio (testimony), relato (account), crónica (chronicle), documento (document), and versión (version).

Su relato de los hechos fue totalmente fidedigno.

La policía busca un testigo fidedigno del accidente.

In negative constructions, it is equally powerful. 'Ese sitio web no es una fuente fidedigna' (That website is not a reliable source) is a common critique. It carries more weight than saying it is 'bad' because it specifically attacks the credibility of the information.

Advanced Usage: In academic writing, use it to evaluate the literature. 'A pesar de ser una obra antigua, la descripción geográfica es sorprendentemente fidedigna.'

¿Es esta traducción fidedigna al texto original?

Buscamos crónicas fidedignas de la época colonial.

By mastering these sentence patterns, you ensure that your use of fidedigno sounds natural and authoritative.

You are most likely to encounter fidedigno in environments where precision and truth are the primary currencies. Journalism is perhaps the most frequent home for this word. When a news anchor or investigative reporter discusses their information, they will often qualify their sources as 'fidedignas' to build trust with the audience. In a Spanish-language news broadcast like RTVE or CNN en Español, you might hear: 'Fuentes fidedignas confirman la dimisión del ministro.' This usage signals that the information has been cross-checked and is not merely hearsay.

Legal Contexts: In a courtroom, a judge might rule that a piece of evidence is not 'fidedigna' if its chain of custody was broken or if a witness is proven to be lying.

Academia and history are other major domains. Professors will insist that students use 'fuentes fidedignas' for their research papers, steering them away from unverified blogs or Wikipedia. A history book might describe a survivor's account as 'un relato fidedigno de los horrores de la guerra.' In these contexts, the word conveys a sense of weight and historical responsibility.

El historiador comparó varios archivos para encontrar la versión más fidedigna.

You will also hear it in high-level business meetings. When discussing market research or financial audits, professionals want 'datos fidedignos' before committing millions of euros or dollars to a project. A consultant might say, 'Este informe proporciona una visión fidedigna de la competencia.'

Literature and Media: In literature, an 'unreliable narrator' is often discussed in Spanish literary criticism as a narrator who is not 'fidedigno' (narrador no fidedigno).

La película es una recreación fidedigna de la vida en el siglo XIX.

¿Cómo podemos saber si estos documentos son fidedignos?

Science and Medicine: A medical test must provide 'resultados fidedignos' to be clinically useful. A false positive is a failure of the test to be fidedigno.

El laboratorio garantiza que sus pruebas son fidedignas.

La prensa necesita un canal de comunicación fidedigno con el gobierno.

In summary, while you might not use it at a noisy bar with friends, you will certainly hear it in any setting where the truth is scrutinized and valued.

Even for intermediate Spanish learners, fidedigno can be tricky. The most common mistake is confusing it with other words for 'reliable' or 'true,' such as confiable, seguro, or fiel. While they overlap, they are not interchangeable.

Mistake 1: Using it for People's Characters: You would rarely say 'Mi mejor amigo es fidedigno.' Instead, use 'confiable' or 'leal.' 'Fidedigno' is for the information the friend provides, not the friend's personality.

Another error is failing to make the adjective agree with the noun. Because it has four syllables and sounds quite formal, learners sometimes treat it as an invariable word, but it must change: fidedigno, fidedigna, fidedignos, fidedignas.

Incorrecto: Las fuentes son fidedigno. Correcto: Las fuentes son fidedignas.

Mistake 2: Confusing it with 'Fiel': 'Fiel' means 'faithful' (like a dog or a spouse). While 'fidedigno' comes from the same root, it refers to accuracy. A translation can be 'fiel' (loyal to the style) and 'fidedigna' (accurate in meaning).

Learners also sometimes use 'fidedigno' when they simply mean 'true' (verdadero). While a 'fidedigno' report is true, 'verdadero' is much broader. You can have a 'verdadero amigo' (true friend), but not a 'fidedigno amigo.'

No digas: 'Es un diamante fidedigno.' Di: 'Es un diamante auténtico.'

Finally, avoid overusing it in casual conversation. If you are telling a story about what happened at lunch, calling your story 'fidedigno' might make you sound like you're testifying in court. Stick to 'de verdad' or 'cierto' for everyday chats.

Register Errors: Using this word in a WhatsApp group with friends might be seen as sarcastic or jokingly pedantic.

¿Es fidedigna la información que circula en las redes sociales?

El perito aseguró que la firma era fidedigna.

By being mindful of these distinctions, you will use the word with the precision it demands.

Spanish offers a rich palette of words to describe trust and accuracy. Understanding the subtle differences between fidedigno and its synonyms will greatly enhance your fluency.

Fidedigno vs. Confiable: 'Confiable' is the most common translation for 'reliable.' It is versatile and can describe people, machines, or information. 'Fidedigno' is more formal and specifically refers to the accuracy of information.

Fidedigno vs. Veraz: 'Veraz' (truthful) usually describes a person's habit of telling the truth. A 'testigo veraz' is a person who doesn't lie. A 'testigo fidedigno' is a person whose testimony is accurate and can be trusted as evidence.

Fidedigno vs. Fehaciente: 'Fehaciente' is even more formal and legalistic. It means 'proving itself' or 'irrefutable.' You hear about 'pruebas fehacientes' (conclusive evidence). While 'fidedigno' means it's worthy of trust, 'fehaciente' means it effectively proves the fact.

Buscamos una alternativa más creíble que esta historia fantástica.

Other alternatives include auténtico (authentic), exacto (exact), and preciso (precise). If you are describing a machine, like a watch, you wouldn't call it 'fidedigno'; you would call it 'exacto' or 'preciso.' If you are describing a friend, you call them 'leal' or 'de confianza.'

La copia es tan fiel al original que es difícil distinguirlas.

Necesitamos una base de datos sólida y fidedigna.

Register Check: Formal: fidedigno, fehaciente. Neutral: confiable, exacto. Informal: de fiar, posta (in Argentina).

El informe técnico es la única fuente fidedigna que tenemos.

Su palabra no es garantía de que sea fidedigno.

Understanding these nuances allows you to choose the word that fits the context perfectly, whether you are in a courtroom, a laboratory, or a library.

How Formal Is It?

Le savais-tu ?

The word 'fiancé' in English comes from the same 'fide' root, as it implies a promise of trust and faith between two people.

Guide de prononciation

UK /fi.ðe.ˈðiɣ.no/

US /fi.ðe.ˈðiɣ.no/

The stress is on the penultimate syllable: fi-de-DIG-no.

Rime avec

benigno maligno digno signo indigno condigno vigno insigno

Erreurs fréquentes

Pronouncing the 'g' too harshly like the English 'go'.
Pronouncing the 'd' harshly like the English 'dog'.
Forgetting to change the ending to -a for feminine nouns.
Stress on the wrong syllable (e.g., 'fidedígno').
Confusing the 'gn' with the French/Italian 'gn' sound (like 'ñ').

Niveau de difficulté

Lecture 4/5

Common in news and books, but looks like a complex word.

Écriture 6/5

Requires correct agreement and context awareness.

Expression orale 7/5

The 'd-g-n' sequence can be tricky for English speakers.

Écoute 5/5

Recognizable once you know the root, but the soft 'd' can be missed.

Quoi apprendre ensuite

Prérequis

verdad confianza digno fuente noticia

Apprends ensuite

fehaciente veraz verosimilitud impugnar peritaje

Avancé

fideicomiso fe de erratas aserto axioma

Grammaire à connaître

Adjective Agreement

La fuente (f) fidedigna (f) / El dato (m) fidedigno (m).

Adjective Placement

Usually follows the noun: Un reporte fidedigno.

Subjunctive with doubt

Dudo que la información sea fidedigna.

Subjunctive with impersonal expressions

Es necesario que los datos sean fidedignos.

Pluralization of adjectives

Los relatos fidedignos.

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour lire l'explication complète

Exemples par niveau

Este libro es fidedigno.

This book is reliable.

Masculine singular agreement.

La noticia es fidedigna.

The news is reliable.

Feminine singular agreement.

Busco datos fidedignos.

I am looking for reliable data.

Masculine plural agreement.

Ella es una fuente fidedigna.

She is a reliable source.

Feminine singular.

No es un relato fidedigno.

It is not a reliable account.

Negative construction.

Queremos información fidedigna.

We want reliable information.

Noun-adjective agreement.

Los mapas son fidedignos.

The maps are reliable.

Plural agreement.

¿Es este papel fidedigno?

Is this paper reliable?

Question form.

Necesitas una fuente fidedigna para tu tarea.

You need a reliable source for your homework.

Use of 'para' for purpose.

El testigo no me parece fidedigno.

The witness does not seem reliable to me.

Verb 'parecer' with indirect object.

Leímos unas crónicas fidedignas del viaje.

We read some reliable chronicles of the trip.

Preterite tense.

Es importante tener noticias fidedignas.

It is important to have reliable news.

Impersonal expression 'es importante'.

El profesor usa materiales fidedignos.

The teacher uses reliable materials.

Present tense.

No creo que esos datos sean fidedignos.

I don't think those data are reliable.

Subjunctive after 'no creo que'.

Buscamos un informe fidedigno sobre el clima.

We are looking for a reliable report on the weather.

Preposition 'sobre'.

Tengo una versión fidedigna de lo que pasó.

I have a reliable version of what happened.

Relative clause 'lo que pasó'.

Según fuentes fidedignas, el presidente dimitirá mañana.

According to reliable sources, the president will resign tomorrow.

Future tense 'dimitirá'.

Es vital que el testimonio sea fidedigno ante el juez.

It is vital that the testimony be reliable before the judge.

Subjunctive 'sea' after 'es vital que'.

La traducción debe ser fidedigna al texto original.

The translation must be faithful/reliable to the original text.

Modal verb 'debe ser'.

No podemos confiar en rumores; necesitamos pruebas fidedignas.

We cannot trust rumors; we need reliable evidence.

Contrast between 'rumores' and 'pruebas'.

El periodista siempre verifica que sus fuentes sean fidedignas.

The journalist always verifies that his sources are reliable.

Subjunctive in a subordinate clause.

Esta biografía se considera la más fidedigna del autor.

This biography is considered the most reliable one of the author.

Passive 'se considera'.

Los resultados del experimento no son del todo fidedignos.

The results of the experiment are not entirely reliable.

Adverbial phrase 'del todo'.

Asegúrate de que el documento que firmes sea fidedigno.

Make sure that the document you sign is reliable.

Imperative 'asegúrate'.

La falta de registros fidedignos dificulta la investigación histórica.

The lack of reliable records makes historical research difficult.

Subject-verb agreement with 'falta' and 'dificulta'.

Aunque el testigo parecía fidedigno, su declaración era contradictoria.

Although the witness seemed reliable, his statement was contradictory.

Concessive clause with 'aunque'.

El perito confirmó que la firma en el contrato era fidedigna.

The expert confirmed that the signature on the contract was authentic/reliable.

Reported speech in the past.

Para que un estudio sea fidedigno, la metodología debe ser rigurosa.

For a study to be reliable, the methodology must be rigorous.

Purpose clause 'para que' + subjunctive.

Es difícil encontrar un relato fidedigno de los hechos en medio de tanta propaganda.

It is difficult to find a reliable account of the facts amidst so much propaganda.

Infinitive phrase as subject.

La empresa exige informes fidedignos sobre el rendimiento trimestral.

The company demands reliable reports on quarterly performance.

Present tense 'exige'.

Si hubiéramos tenido datos fidedignos, no habríamos cometido ese error.

If we had had reliable data, we would not have made that mistake.

Third conditional (Si + pluscuamperfecto de subjuntivo).

La veracidad de la noticia depende de qué tan fidedigna sea la fuente.

The truthfulness of the news depends on how reliable the source is.

Indirect question structure 'qué tan... sea'.

La reconstrucción fidedigna de la escena del crimen fue clave para el veredicto.

The accurate reconstruction of the crime scene was key to the verdict.

Complex noun phrase.

El historiador se esforzó por ofrecer una visión fidedigna de la vida cotidiana en la colonia.

The historian strove to offer a reliable vision of daily life in the colony.

Verb 'esforzarse por' + infinitive.

Se cuestiona si la memoria humana es un registro fidedigno de las experiencias pasadas.

It is questioned whether human memory is a reliable record of past experiences.

Impersonal 'se' with 'cuestiona'.

La auditoría reveló que los estados financieros no eran del todo fidedignos.

The audit revealed that the financial statements were not entirely reliable.

Past tense 'reveló'.

Es imperativo contrastar la información con fuentes fidedignas antes de publicarla.

It is imperative to cross-check information with reliable sources before publishing it.

Infinitive 'contrastar' in formal advice.

A pesar de las críticas, el documental se mantiene como un testimonio fidedigno de la época.

Despite the criticism, the documentary remains a reliable testimony of the era.

Concessive phrase 'a pesar de'.

La novela juega con la idea del narrador no fidedigno para confundir al lector.

The novel plays with the idea of the unreliable narrator to confuse the reader.

Literary terminology.

No existe una base de datos fidedigna que recoja todos los dialectos de la región.

There is no reliable database that collects all the dialects of the region.

Subjunctive 'recoja' after negative existence.

La hermenéutica del texto exige una traducción que sea, ante todo, fidedigna a la intención del autor.

The hermeneutics of the text demands a translation that is, above all, faithful to the author's intention.

High-level vocabulary (hermenéutica).

Resulta harto difícil discernir qué parte del relato es fidedigna y cuál es mera fabulación.

It is exceedingly difficult to discern which part of the account is reliable and which is mere fabulation.

Adverb 'harto' used as 'very'.

La fidedignidad de la prueba pericial fue impugnada por la defensa debido a irregularidades en el proceso.

The reliability of the expert evidence was challenged by the defense due to irregularities in the process.

Noun form 'fidedignidad'.

En la era de la posverdad, la búsqueda de fuentes fidedignas se ha vuelto una labor titánica.

In the era of post-truth, the search for reliable sources has become a Herculean task.

Metaphorical language.

El archivo parroquial constituye la fuente más fidedigna para reconstruir la genealogía local.

The parish archive constitutes the most reliable source for reconstructing local genealogy.

Verb 'constituir'.

Cualquier aserto que no esté respaldado por documentación fidedigna será desestimado de inmediato.

Any assertion that is not backed by reliable documentation will be dismissed immediately.

Relative clause with 'que no esté'.

La obra aspira a ser una crónica fidedigna de los entresijos del poder político.

The work aspires to be a reliable chronicle of the inner workings of political power.

Abstract noun 'entresijos'.

Pese a su brevedad, la nota diplomática ofrecía un resumen fidedigno de las negociaciones.

Despite its brevity, the diplomatic note offered a reliable summary of the negotiations.

Concessive 'pese a'.

Collocations courantes

fuente fidedigna

testimonio fidedigno

datos fidedignos

relato fidedigno

documento fidedigno

versión fidedigna

información fidedigna

traducción fidedigna

crónica fidedigna

resultado fidedigno

Phrases Courantes

Según fuentes fidedignas

— A standard opening for news reports implying the info is verified.

Según fuentes fidedignas, el trato está cerrado.

De manera fidedigna

— In a reliable or accurate manner.

El evento fue retratado de manera fidedigna.

Carecer de carácter fidedigno

— To lack reliability or credibility.

Sus palabras carecen de carácter fidedigno.

Ser digno de fe

— The literal definition; to be worthy of trust.

Su testimonio es digno de fe y fidedigno.

Lo más fidedigno posible

— As reliable as possible.

Queremos una copia lo más fidedigna posible.

Resultados poco fidedignos

— Results that are not very reliable.

La encuesta arrojó resultados poco fidedignos.

Informante fidedigno

— A person who provides reliable information secretly.

El detective tiene un informante fidedigno.

Registro fidedigno

— An accurate record of events or data.

El diario es un registro fidedigno de su vida.

Prueba fidedigna

— A reliable piece of evidence.

No hay ninguna prueba fidedigna de su culpabilidad.

Imagen fidedigna

— An accurate or faithful image/representation.

La foto ofrece una imagen fidedigna del paisaje.

Souvent confondu avec

fidedigno vs confiable

Confiable is for general trust; fidedigno is for accurate info.

fidedigno vs veraz

Veraz is about the person telling the truth; fidedigno is about the content.

fidedigno vs fiel

Fiel is loyal; fidedigno is accurate.

Expressions idiomatiques

"Poner la mano en el fuego"

— To vouch for someone/something completely. Often used when someone is fidedigno.

Pongo la mano en el fuego por esa fuente fidedigna.

informal

"Palabra de ley"

— Something that is absolute truth, like a fidedigno source.

Su testimonio fue palabra de ley para el jurado.

neutral

"A pies juntillas"

— To believe something blindly, usually because the source is fidedigno.

Creyó su relato fidedigno a pies juntillas.

informal

"De buena tinta"

— From a reliable source (literally 'from good ink').

Lo sé de buena tinta; la fuente es fidedigna.

neutral

"No haber vuelta de hoja"

— There's no arguing with it; it's a fact (fidedigno).

Los datos son fidedignos, no hay vuelta de hoja.

neutral

"Ser harina de otro costal"

— To be a different matter entirely (often used to contrast non-fidedigno info).

Eso es harina de otro costal, no es fidedigno.

informal

"Caer por su propio peso"

— To be obvious or self-evident once the fidedigno facts are known.

La verdad cayó por su propio peso con pruebas fidedignas.

neutral

"Ver para creer"

— Seeing is believing (often said when something isn't fidedigno until seen).

Sin un video fidedigno, es ver para creer.

informal

"Llamar al pan pan"

— To call a spade a spade; to be fidedigno and direct.

Él es fidedigno y llama al pan pan.

informal

"Tener la sartén por el mango"

— To have control, often by having the most fidedigno information.

Tienen la sartén por el mango con esos datos fidedignos.

informal

Facile à confondre

fidedigno vs Digno

It's the second half of the word.

Digno means 'worthy' in a general sense (e.g., worthy of a prize). Fidedigno specifically means 'worthy of faith/trust' regarding information.

Él es digno de respeto, pero sus datos no son fidedignos.

fidedigno vs Fehaciente

Both mean reliable in formal contexts.

Fehaciente is stronger and more legalistic; it means something that 'makes faith' or proves a fact beyond doubt. Fidedigno is more about the quality of being trustworthy.

Tenemos pruebas fehacientes de que el documento es fidedigno.

fidedigno vs Seguro

Both can mean 'certain'.

Seguro means 'safe' or 'certain' (I am sure). Fidedigno is a quality of the source itself.

Estoy seguro de que la fuente es fidedigna.

fidedigno vs Cierto

Both relate to truth.

Cierto means 'true' or 'certain' (a fact). Fidedigno describes the *reliability* of the thing conveying the truth.

Es cierto que el informe es fidedigno.

fidedigno vs Auténtico

Both imply something is 'real'.

Auténtico means it's not a fake/copy. Fidedigno means the information inside it is correct.

El cuadro es auténtico, y el catálogo es fidedigno.

Structures de phrases

Es un/una [noun] fidedigno/a.

Es una fuente fidedigna.

Según [noun] fidedigno/a...

Según una fuente fidedigna, habrá cambios.

No creo que sea fidedigno/a.

No creo que ese mapa sea fidedigno.

Para que sea fidedigno, debe [verb]...

Para que sea fidedigno, debe tener pruebas.

A pesar de ser fidedigno...

A pesar de ser fidedigno, el relato es aburrido.

La fidedignidad de [noun] es...

La fidedignidad de la noticia es cuestionable.

Resulta [adjective] encontrar un [noun] fidedigno.

Resulta difícil encontrar un testigo fidedigno.

Cualquier [noun] que no sea fidedigno...

Cualquier aserto que no sea fidedigno será rechazado.

Famille de mots

Noms

fidedignidad (rarely used)

fe (faith)

dignidad (dignity/worthiness)

Adjectifs

digno

indigno

fidedigno

Apparenté

fidelidad

fideicomiso

fiduciario

confianza

fehaciente

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour voir tous les exemples

Comment l'utiliser

frequency

Common in written media, less common in spoken casual Spanish.

Erreurs courantes

Using 'fidedigno' for a person's character. → Mi amigo es confiable.
Fidedigno is for information/sources. Using it for a person makes them sound like an object or a witness.
Incorrect agreement: 'Los informes es fidedigno'. → Los informes son fidedignos.
The adjective must match both gender (masculine) and number (plural) of the noun.
Confusing with 'fiel'. → Es una copia fidedigna.
While 'fiel' means loyal, 'fidedigno' means accurate and trustworthy. They are close but 'fidedigno' is more formal for documents.
Pronouncing 'gn' like 'ñ'. → fi-de-dig-no
In Spanish, 'gn' is two separate sounds, not a single 'ny' sound like in 'niño' or French 'champagne'.
Overusing it in casual settings. → Es verdad.
Saying 'mi historia es fidedigna' to your friends at a party sounds like you are in a courtroom.

Astuces

Build Word Pairs

Don't just learn 'fidedigno' alone. Learn 'fuente fidedigna' as a single unit. This is how native speakers process and use the word most often.

Watch the Gender

Remember that 'información' and 'noticia' are feminine. You will say 'fidedigna' more often than 'fidedigno' in journalistic contexts.

Save it for Formal Use

Using this word in a professional email or a school essay will make you sound much more advanced and serious than using 'bueno' or 'seguro'.

The Soft D

Make sure your 'd' sounds are soft. If you say them like the English 'D', it will sound very foreign. Think of the 'th' in 'then'.

Legal Writing

If you ever have to write a formal complaint or a legal letter in Spanish, 'fidedigno' is a key word to describe your evidence.

Spotting the Word

Look for this word in the first paragraph of news articles. It's often used to establish the credibility of the reporting right away.

Latin Roots

If you know 'fidelity' and 'dignity' in English, you already know the roots of this word. It's just 'fidelity-worthy'.

News Context

Listen to the radio news. You will hear 'según fuentes fidedignas' constantly. It's a great way to hear the word in its natural habitat.

Debating

Use it when debating. 'Tu fuente no es fidedigna' is a polite but powerful way to challenge someone's argument.

Academic Respect

Using 'fidedigno' when talking to a professor shows that you respect the academic rigor of their field.

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Think of 'Fide' (like a dog named Fido, who is loyal) + 'Digno' (Dignified/Worthy). Fido is worthy of your trust. Fide-digno.

Association visuelle

Imagine a gold-stamped certificate from a king. It looks 'dignified' and you have 'faith' in it. It is fidedigno.

Word Web

Fuente Dato Testimonio Verdad Confianza Documento Prensa Historia

Défi

Try to use 'fidedigno' in a sentence today when talking about a news story you read online.

Origine du mot

From the Latin 'fidedignus'. It is a compound of 'fides' (faith/trust) and 'dignus' (worthy). It entered the Spanish language as a formal way to describe things that deserve to be believed.

Sens originel : Worthy of faith or trust.

Romance (Latin root)

Contexte culturel

No specific sensitivities, but using it for people in casual settings can sound sarcastic.

In English, we might just say 'reliable,' but 'fidedigno' sounds more like 'authoritative' or 'credible.'

Used frequently in the 'Ley de Enjuiciamiento Civil' (Spain's Civil Procedure Law). Common in the works of Jorge Luis Borges when discussing the reliability of ancient texts. A key term in modern Spanish fact-checking organizations like Maldita.es.

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

News Reporting

Según fuentes fidedignas
Información fidedigna
Confirmar de forma fidedigna
Canal fidedigno

Legal Proceedings

Testimonio fidedigno
Documento fidedigno
Prueba fidedigna
Declaración fidedigna

Academic Research

Datos fidedignos
Bibliografía fidedigna
Registro fidedigno
Estudio fidedigno

Business Audits

Informe fidedigno
Cuentas fidedignas
Estado fidedigno
Representación fidedigna

History/Literature

Relato fidedigno
Crónica fidedigna
Narrador fidedigno
Versión fidedigna

Amorces de conversation

"¿Crees que las redes sociales son una fuente fidedigna de noticias?"

"¿Cómo podemos verificar si un documento histórico es fidedigno?"

"¿Alguna vez has leído una biografía que no pareciera fidedigna?"

"¿Qué hace que un testigo sea considerado fidedigno en un juicio?"

"¿Es posible tener una traducción 100% fidedigna de un poema?"

Sujets d'écriture

Escribe sobre una vez que recibiste información que no era fidedigna y qué pasó después.

Describe las cualidades que debe tener una fuente fidedigna en el periodismo moderno.

¿Por qué es importante que los libros de texto sean fidedignos para la educación?

Reflexiona sobre si tu propia memoria es un registro fidedigno de tu infancia.

Imagina que eres un historiador en el futuro. ¿Qué registros fidedignos dejarías de hoy?

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

Technically yes, especially in a professional or legal context like 'un testigo fidedigno' (a reliable witness). However, in casual speech, it's much better to use 'confiable' or 'de confianza.' Using 'fidedigno' for a friend sounds very strange and overly formal, almost as if you are evaluating them like a piece of evidence.

'Confiable' is a general term for anything you can trust (a person, a car, a brand). 'Fidedigno' is specific to information, data, and sources. You trust a 'confiable' friend to keep a secret, but you trust a 'fidedigno' source to give you accurate statistics for a report.

It is very common in newspapers, books, and formal documents. You might not hear it every day in the street, but you will definitely hear it on the news or in a university lecture. It's an essential word for anyone wanting to reach a B2 or C1 level of Spanish.

In 99% of cases, yes. Like most descriptive adjectives in Spanish, it follows the noun (e.g., 'una fuente fidedigna'). Placing it before the noun would be very poetic or archaic, which doesn't really fit the modern, precise nature of the word.

It is not like the 'ñ' sound. You pronounce the 'g' very softly at the back of your throat, followed by a clear 'n'. In some fast speech, the 'g' almost disappears, but in formal speech, it should be a subtle velar sound.

Usually no. For a watch or a scale, use 'exacto' or 'preciso.' 'Fidedigno' is about the 'faith' or 'trust' you have in the truth of information. You wouldn't call a toaster 'fidedigno,' but you could call the user manual 'fidedigno' if the instructions are accurate.

The most common way to say the opposite is 'poco fidedigno' (not very reliable). You could also use 'falso' (false), 'erróneo' (erroneous), or 'dudoso' (doubtful) depending on the context.

Yes, it is a standard Spanish word used across Spain and Latin America. While there might be local slang for 'reliable' (like 'posta' in Argentina), 'fidedigno' remains the formal standard everywhere.

The noun 'fidedignidad' exists but is extremely rare. Most people use 'fiabilidad' (reliability) or 'veracidad' (truthfulness) instead. For example, 'La fiabilidad de la fuente' instead of 'La fidedignidad de la fuente'.

Yes! 'Una traducción fidedigna' is a very common phrase. It means the translation accurately conveys the meaning and facts of the original text without changing anything.

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour les astuces et notes