At the A1 level, you don't need to use 'íntimo' often, but you will hear it when people talk about their 'amigo íntimo' (best friend). Think of it as a very strong version of 'amigo'. If you have a friend you tell everything to, that is your 'amigo íntimo'. You might also see it in stores on signs for 'ropa íntima', which means underwear. It is a good word to recognize so you know when a relationship is very close or when a topic is personal. Just remember: it means 'very close' or 'private'.
For A2 learners, 'íntimo' becomes useful for describing small, cozy places. You might describe a small cafe or a quiet dinner as 'íntimo'. For example, 'Es un restaurante pequeño e íntimo'. You are also learning to describe people's personalities and relationships. Using 'íntimo' helps you distinguish between someone you just met and someone you have known for years. It's also the time to start recognizing the feminine form 'íntima' and the plural 'íntimos/íntimas' to match the things you are talking about.
At B1, you are expected to talk about feelings and personal experiences. 'Íntimo' is essential here. You will use it to talk about your 'vida íntima' (private life) or 'pensamientos íntimos' (private thoughts). You'll notice it in phrases like 'en la intimidad' (in private). At this level, you should also understand that 'íntimo' isn't always about romance; it's about depth and trust. You might use it to explain why you don't want to talk about a certain topic: 'Es algo muy íntimo, prefiero no decirlo'.
By B2, you should be comfortable with the nuanced use of 'íntimo' in literature and media. You will see it used to describe the 'círculo íntimo' of a famous person or politician—the people they trust most. You can use it to describe an 'ambiente íntimo' in a more abstract way, like the feeling of a poem or a piece of music. You should also be aware of the difference between 'íntimo' and 'privado' (private) or 'secreto' (secret), using 'íntimo' when there is an emotional or personal connection involved.
At the C1 level, you will encounter 'íntimo' in academic, legal, and philosophical texts. You might read about 'el fuero íntimo', which refers to a person's conscience or their most private legal rights. You will use the word to discuss the 'yo íntimo' (the inner self) in psychology. You should be able to use it as a noun ('mis íntimos') to refer to your closest circle of friends without needing the word 'amigos'. Your usage should reflect an understanding of the word's ability to convey both warmth and strict boundaries.
For C2 mastery, 'íntimo' is used to explore the deepest layers of human existence and artistic expression. You might analyze how an artist creates an 'espacio íntimo' within a public gallery or how a writer uses 'monólogo íntimo' to reveal a character's soul. You understand the subtle irony when 'íntimo' is used sarcastically in journalism. You can navigate the most formal registers where 'íntimo' describes the essential, inherent nature of a thing (e.g., 'la estructura íntima de la materia'). Your use is precise, evocative, and culturally grounded.

íntimo 30 सेकंड में

  • Íntimo means 'intimate' or 'very close' in Spanish, used for friends, places, and private life.
  • It is a B1 level word essential for discussing deep emotions and personal boundaries.
  • Commonly found in phrases like 'amigo íntimo' (close friend) and 'ropa íntima' (underwear).
  • It changes to íntima, íntimos, or íntimas to match the noun it describes.

The Spanish word íntimo is a versatile adjective that translates most directly to "intimate" in English, but its usage spans a spectrum of meanings from physical proximity to deep emotional connection and legal privacy. At its core, íntimo describes something that is internal, deeply personal, or shared only with a very select group. Understanding this word is crucial for B1 learners because it marks the transition from describing surface-level facts to expressing complex human relationships and interior states. Unlike some words that change meaning significantly based on gender, íntimo (masculine) and íntima (feminine) primarily function to agree with the noun they modify, maintaining their core essence of 'closeness' throughout.

Personal Relationships
When referring to people, an 'amigo íntimo' is someone who knows your secrets and with whom you share a profound bond. It is the highest level of friendship before moving into romantic territory, though it can describe romantic partners as well.

Juan es mi mejor amigo; somos compañeros íntimos desde la infancia.

Atmosphere and Setting
In the context of places, 'íntimo' suggests a cozy, private, or secluded environment. A restaurant with dim lighting and spaced-out tables might be described as having an 'ambiente íntimo,' perfect for a date or a serious conversation.

Buscamos un rincón íntimo en el café para hablar sin interrupciones.

Privacy and Euphemism
The word also serves as a polite way to discuss private matters. 'Ropa íntima' is the standard term for underwear, and 'vida íntima' refers to one's private life, often including sexual health or domestic affairs.

La periodista fue criticada por preguntar sobre la vida íntima del actor.

Sus diarios reflejan sus pensamientos más íntimos sobre la existencia.

In summary, use íntimo whenever you want to describe a connection that goes beneath the surface. Whether you are describing a small wedding (una boda íntima), a close-knit group of colleagues (un círculo íntimo), or the very depths of your soul (mi yo íntimo), this word conveys a sense of exclusion from the public eye and inclusion into a sacred, private space.

Using íntimo correctly requires attention to noun-adjective agreement and its placement, which can slightly alter the emphasis. Typically, íntimo follows the noun, but placing it before the noun can sometimes add a poetic or literary touch, especially in descriptions of feelings. Let's explore the various grammatical environments where this word thrives.

Agreement in Gender and Number
As an adjective ending in -o, it has four forms: íntimo (masculine singular), íntima (feminine singular), íntimos (masculine plural), and íntimas (feminine plural). Ensure you match the noun precisely.

Ellas tienen una relación íntima que nadie puede romper.

With the Verb 'Ser'
We use 'ser' when describing a permanent characteristic or a defined relationship status. 'Ellos son íntimos' means they are close friends as an identity.

Esos dos son íntimos; no se guardan secretos.

Describing Physical Objects
When describing clothing or items of personal hygiene, 'íntimo' acts as a classifier. 'Higiene íntima' or 'ropa íntima' are fixed phrases.

La tienda vende lencería y ropa íntima de seda.

Solo invité a mis íntimos a la fiesta de cumpleaños.

Advanced students should note that 'íntimo' is often used with 'círculo' to describe the 'inner circle' of a politician or celebrity. In this context, it implies influence and proximity to power. When you use it to describe a feeling, like 'un deseo íntimo,' it emphasizes that the desire is not shared with the world but kept deep within the heart.

You will encounter íntimo in a variety of settings, ranging from high-brow literature to supermarket aisles. Understanding these contexts helps you grasp the cultural weight of the term in the Spanish-speaking world.

In Literature and Poetry
Spanish literature is famous for its exploration of the interior self. Authors like Federico García Lorca or Isabel Allende often use 'íntimo' to describe the hidden emotions of their characters.

El poeta reveló su dolor más íntimo en sus últimos versos.

In Journalism and Gossip Columns
Magazines like '¡Hola!' or 'Semana' frequently use 'vida íntima' when speculating about the private lives of celebrities. It's a key term in 'prensa del corazón' (entertainment news).

La revista publicó fotos de la boda íntima en la playa.

El jabón para el cuidado íntimo está en el pasillo tres.

In social gatherings, you might hear a host say, "Queríamos algo íntimo," to explain why the guest list is small. It serves as a justification for exclusion, framing it as a choice for quality over quantity. In music, especially in genres like Bolero or Indie-Pop, 'íntimo' describes concerts in small venues where the artist interacts closely with the audience.

While íntimo is a cognate of 'intimate,' learners often stumble over its specific cultural boundaries and grammatical nuances. Avoid these common pitfalls to sound more like a native speaker.

Mistake 1: Over-sexualizing the word
In English, 'we were intimate' is a common euphemism for having sex. In Spanish, saying 'fuimos íntimos' is much more ambiguous and often just means 'we were very close friends.' If you want to imply sex, you would usually say 'tuvimos relaciones íntimas' or 'tuvimos intimidad,' but even then, it's less direct than the English euphemism.

Incorrect: Ella es mi novia íntima. (Redundant and sounds strange in Spanish).

Mistake 2: Confusing 'Íntimo' with 'Privado'
While they overlap, 'privado' is more clinical or institutional. Your bank account is 'privada,' but your diary is 'íntimo.' Use 'íntimo' for things that have an emotional or soul-level component.

Correct: Es un asunto privado (business/legal); Es un asunto íntimo (personal/emotional).

Lastly, be careful with the phrase 'amigo íntimo.' If you say someone is your 'amigo íntimo' to a group of people who don't know them, it might sound like you're bragging about your social connections. Use it sparingly and in contexts where the depth of the friendship is relevant to the story.

To truly master Spanish, you need to know when to use íntimo and when a synonym might better fit the occasion. Here is a breakdown of similar terms.

Cercano vs. Íntimo
'Cercano' means 'close' in a general sense. A 'pariente cercano' is a close relative. 'Íntimo' is one level deeper, implying shared secrets and a soul connection.

Es un colaborador cercano, pero no somos íntimos.

Entrañable
This beautiful word comes from 'entrañas' (innards/guts). It refers to something or someone very dear and beloved. It's often used for memories or old friends.

Fue un encuentro entrañable después de tantos años.

Privado vs. Personal
'Personal' is the most neutral term. 'Opinión personal' is just your opinion. 'Íntimo' adds a layer of vulnerability. You might share a personal opinion with a stranger, but an 'íntimo pensamiento' is reserved for your diary.

By choosing between these alternatives, you can precisely calibrate the level of closeness and privacy you wish to communicate. 'Íntimo' remains the strongest term for describing the inner sanctum of human experience.

How Formal Is It?

रोचक तथ्य

Because 'intimus' is a superlative, it literally means 'the most inside'. It shares the same root as 'interior'.

उच्चारण मार्गदर्शिका

UK ˈin.ti.mo
US ˈin.ti.mo
First syllable (ín-ti-mo) because of the written accent.
तुकबंदी
céntimo último legítimo marítimo procuróptimo pésimo próximo máximo
आम गलतियाँ
  • Pronouncing it as 'in-TI-mo' (stressing the second syllable).
  • Confusing the pronunciation with the English 'intimate'.
  • Forgetting the nasal 'n' sound.
  • Softening the 't' too much.
  • Misplacing the accent when writing.

कठिनाई स्तर

पठन 2/5

Easy to recognize as a cognate, but requires context to distinguish nuances.

लिखना 3/5

Must remember the accent and gender agreement.

बोलना 3/5

Correct stress on the first syllable is key for clarity.

श्रवण 2/5

Commonly used in media and daily speech.

आगे क्या सीखें

पूर्वापेक्षाएँ

amigo privado cerca ropa vida

आगे सीखें

intimidad intimar entrañable confidencial allegado

उन्नत

fuero intrínseco subjetividad idiosincrasia recogimiento

ज़रूरी व्याकरण

Adjective Agreement

La relación (f) es íntima (f).

Written Accent (Esdrújula)

Íntimo always has an accent because it is stressed on the third-to-last syllable.

Nominalization

Los íntimos (The close friends) - using an adjective as a noun.

Placement for Emphasis

Mi íntimo amigo (emphasizes the quality) vs Mi amigo íntimo (standard).

The Neuter Article 'Lo'

Lo íntimo (the intimate part/sphere).

स्तर के अनुसार उदाहरण

1

Él es mi amigo íntimo.

He is my close friend.

Masculine singular agreement.

2

Tengo una amiga íntima.

I have a close female friend.

Feminine singular agreement.

3

La ropa íntima es barata aquí.

Underwear is cheap here.

Ropa is feminine singular.

4

Ellos son amigos íntimos.

They are close friends.

Masculine plural agreement.

5

Es un momento íntimo.

It is an intimate moment.

Modifying 'momento'.

6

Mi perro es mi compañero íntimo.

My dog is my close companion.

Metaphorical use.

7

Juan e Ignacio son íntimos.

Juan and Ignacio are very close.

Used as a predicate adjective.

8

Busco ropa íntima de algodón.

I'm looking for cotton underwear.

Noun + adjective.

1

Cenamos en un lugar íntimo.

We had dinner in an intimate place.

Describing atmosphere.

2

Es una fiesta muy íntima.

It is a very intimate party.

Implies small and private.

3

Quiero un café íntimo y tranquilo.

I want an intimate and quiet cafe.

Adjective order.

4

Ellas son mis amigas más íntimas.

They are my closest friends.

Superlative sense with 'más'.

5

No me gusta hablar de temas íntimos.

I don't like to talk about intimate topics.

Masculine plural.

6

La boda fue íntima, solo la familia.

The wedding was intimate, only family.

Feminine singular.

7

Es un secreto íntimo de la familia.

It is a close family secret.

Modifying 'secreto'.

8

Tengo una relación íntima con mi abuela.

I have a close relationship with my grandmother.

Emotional closeness.

1

Prefiero no hablar de mi vida íntima.

I prefer not to talk about my private life.

Vida íntima is a common phrase.

2

El actor protege su espacio íntimo.

The actor protects his private space.

Refers to privacy.

3

Siento una conexión íntima con la naturaleza.

I feel an intimate connection with nature.

Abstract connection.

4

Escribo mis deseos íntimos en este cuaderno.

I write my private desires in this notebook.

Internal thoughts.

5

Fue una conversación íntima sobre el futuro.

It was an intimate conversation about the future.

Deep discussion.

6

La música crea un ambiente íntimo.

The music creates an intimate atmosphere.

Sensory description.

7

Ella reveló un detalle íntimo de su pasado.

She revealed an intimate detail of her past.

Vulnerability.

8

Sus amigos íntimos le organizaron la fiesta.

His close friends organized the party for him.

Subject of the sentence.

1

El político solo confía en su círculo íntimo.

The politician only trusts his inner circle.

Political/social context.

2

El libro explora el mundo íntimo de la protagonista.

The book explores the protagonist's inner world.

Literary usage.

3

No debemos invadir el ámbito íntimo de los demás.

We must not invade others' private sphere.

Formal/ethical context.

4

Sus diarios muestran su cara más íntima.

Her diaries show her most private side.

Metaphorical side.

5

La película tiene un tono íntimo y melancólico.

The movie has an intimate and melancholic tone.

Artistic register.

6

Mantenemos una amistad íntima a pesar de la distancia.

We maintain a close friendship despite the distance.

Resilience of bond.

7

Es necesario respetar la higiene íntima.

It is necessary to respect personal hygiene.

Euphemistic use.

8

Confesó sus miedos más íntimos al terapeuta.

He confessed his deepest fears to the therapist.

Psychological depth.

1

La decisión pertenece al fuero íntimo de cada uno.

The decision belongs to each person's conscience.

Legal/philosophical idiom.

2

La obra es un retrato íntimo de la posguerra.

The work is an intimate portrait of the postwar period.

Analytical register.

3

Se vulneró su derecho a la vida íntima y familiar.

His right to private and family life was violated.

Legal terminology.

4

El autor utiliza un lenguaje íntimo para conectar.

The author uses intimate language to connect.

Stylistic analysis.

5

Existe una relación íntima entre el clima y la cultura.

There is an inherent relationship between climate and culture.

Inherent/Structural connection.

6

El concierto fue una experiencia íntima e inolvidable.

The concert was an intimate and unforgettable experience.

Experiential description.

7

Él es uno de mis íntimos, lo conozco bien.

He is one of my close friends, I know him well.

Noun usage.

8

La carta revelaba un pensamiento íntimo y doloroso.

The letter revealed an intimate and painful thought.

Epistolary context.

1

La mística busca la unión íntima con la divinidad.

Mysticism seeks intimate union with the divine.

Theological register.

2

El actor logró una interpretación de una verdad íntima.

The actor achieved a performance of an inner truth.

Metaphysical quality.

3

La estructura íntima del átomo sigue siendo un misterio.

The internal structure of the atom remains a mystery.

Scientific/Inherent sense.

4

Su poesía trasciende lo personal para volverse íntima.

His poetry transcends the personal to become intimate.

Philosophical distinction.

5

La casa era el refugio íntimo del filósofo.

The house was the philosopher's private refuge.

Spatial metaphor.

6

Se requiere una reflexión íntima antes de actuar.

An internal reflection is required before acting.

Introspective requirement.

7

La connivencia íntima entre las empresas fue probada.

The deep-seated collusion between the companies was proven.

Negative/Legal nuance.

8

El artista explora la dialéctica entre lo público y lo íntimo.

The artist explores the dialectic between the public and the private.

Abstract noun usage.

सामान्य शब्द संयोजन

amigo íntimo
ropa íntima
vida íntima
círculo íntimo
higiene íntima
cena íntima
pensamiento íntimo
relación íntima
espacio íntimo
diario íntimo

सामान्य वाक्यांश

en la intimidad

— In private or in the comfort of one's home.

Lo celebramos en la intimidad.

fuero íntimo

— A person's conscience or most private beliefs.

En mi fuero íntimo, sabía que era verdad.

amigos íntimos

— Best friends who share everything.

Son amigos íntimos desde el colegio.

trato íntimo

— Close and familiar treatment or relationship.

Tienen un trato íntimo con el jefe.

secreto íntimo

— A very personal secret not shared with others.

Me contó un secreto íntimo.

momento íntimo

— A private moment shared between a few people.

Fue un momento íntimo muy especial.

deseos íntimos

— One's deepest and most personal wishes.

Sus deseos íntimos eran viajar.

asunto íntimo

— A matter that is very personal and private.

Es un asunto íntimo que no te incumbe.

vínculo íntimo

— A very strong and close emotional bond.

Hay un vínculo íntimo entre madre e hijo.

belleza íntima

— Internal beauty or the beauty of a private space.

La casa tiene una belleza íntima.

मुहावरे और अभिव्यक्तियाँ

"sacar los trapos íntimos"

— To reveal someone's private or embarrassing secrets publicly.

No deberías sacar sus trapos íntimos en la cena.

informal
"ser como uña y carne"

— To be inseparable, often used as a synonym for being íntimos.

Pedro y Luis son como uña y carne.

informal
"abrir el corazón"

— To reveal one's most intimate feelings.

Por fin me abrió su corazón.

neutral
"lavar la ropa sucia en casa"

— To keep intimate/private problems within the family.

La ropa sucia se lava en casa.

informal
"en confianza"

— In an intimate or private setting where secrets can be shared.

Te lo digo en confianza.

neutral
"de tú a tú"

— In an intimate, equal, and direct way.

Hablamos de tú a tú.

neutral
"entre cuatro paredes"

— Within the privacy of a home or room.

Lo que pasa entre cuatro paredes, ahí se queda.

informal
"a calzón quitado"

— Speaking very frankly and intimately without hiding anything.

Hablamos a calzón quitado.

slang
"con el alma en la mano"

— Revealing one's most intimate truth.

Te lo digo con el alma en la mano.

poetic
"no tener pelos en la lengua"

— To speak one's intimate thoughts without filter (related).

Ella no tiene pelos en la lengua.

informal

शब्द परिवार

संज्ञा

intimidad
intimismo

क्रिया

intimar

विशेषण

íntimo
intimista

संबंधित

interior
privacidad
amistad
secreto
alma

याद करें

स्मृति सहायक

Think of 'In-Time-Oh'. An 'íntimo' friend is someone you spend a lot of 'Time' with 'In' your private life. Oh!

दृश्य संबंध

Imagine a small, warm candle in a dark, private room. That glowing center is 'íntimo'.

Word Web

Friendship Underwear Privacy Secrets Atmosphere Conscience Inner-circle Soul

चैलेंज

Write three sentences: one about a friend, one about a place, and one about a secret, all using 'íntimo'.

शब्द की उत्पत्ति

From the Latin 'intimus', which is the superlative form of 'intra' (within/inside).

मूल अर्थ: The innermost, the deepest, or the most secret part of something.

Romance (Latin root).

सांस्कृतिक संदर्भ

Be careful using 'vida íntima' in professional settings as it can sound like you are prying into someone's sex life.

English speakers often use 'intimate' for romance; Spanish speakers use 'íntimo' for deep friendship more freely.

'El diario íntimo de Ana Frank' (Spanish title for Anne Frank's Diary) 'Círculo íntimo' (common movie/book trope) Lope de Vega's poems often explore the 'íntimo'.

असल ज़िंदगी में अभ्यास करें

वास्तविक संदर्भ

Socializing

  • Es un amigo íntimo.
  • Somos muy íntimos.
  • Una reunión íntima.
  • Un círculo íntimo.

Shopping

  • Ropa íntima.
  • Higiene íntima.
  • Lencería íntima.
  • Cuidado íntimo.

Legal/Privacy

  • Vida íntima.
  • Derecho a la intimidad.
  • Fuero íntimo.
  • Ámbito íntimo.

Literature

  • Diario íntimo.
  • Pensamientos íntimos.
  • Yo íntimo.
  • Mundo íntimo.

Dining

  • Ambiente íntimo.
  • Cena íntima.
  • Lugar íntimo.
  • Rincón íntimo.

बातचीत की शुरुआत

"¿Quién es tu amigo más íntimo y por qué?"

"¿Prefieres una fiesta grande o una cena íntima?"

"¿Crees que es importante proteger la vida íntima de los famosos?"

"¿Tienes algún lugar íntimo donde te guste ir a pensar?"

"¿Qué importancia tiene para ti el círculo íntimo familiar?"

डायरी विषय

Describe un momento íntimo que hayas vivido recientemente.

Escribe sobre la diferencia entre un conocido y un amigo íntimo.

¿Qué pensamientos íntimos te gustaría compartir con tu 'yo' del futuro?

Reflexiona sobre cómo la tecnología afecta nuestra vida íntima.

Describe tu habitación ideal para crear un ambiente íntimo.

संबंधित सामग्री

यह शब्द अन्य भाषाओं में

family के और शब्द

abrazarse

B1

एक दूसरे को गले लगाना; परस्पर आलिंगन करना। यह बताता है कि कब दो या दो से अधिक लोग एक ही समय में एक-दूसरे को गले लगाते हैं। दोस्तों ने एक-दूसरे को गले लगाया।

Abuela

A1

मेरी दादी (abuela) बहुत प्यारी हैं।

Abuelo

A1

आपके पिता या आपकी माता के पिता। मेरे दादाजी मुझे बचपन में बहुत सी कहानियाँ सुनाते थे।

abuelo/a

A2

दादा या दादी। मेरे दादाजी बहुत दयालु हैं।

acariciar

B1

धीरे से और प्यार से सहलाना या थपथपाना। उदाहरण: वह अपनी बिल्ली को सहलाती है; हवा उसके चेहरे को सहलाती है।

acoger

B1

किसी का गर्मजोशी से स्वागत करना या शरण देना।

acunar

B1

To cradle; to hold gently in one's arms.

adolescente

A2

एक किशोर वह व्यक्ति होता है जो बचपन और वयस्कता के बीच के संक्रमण काल में होता है।

adopción

B1

गोद लेना (adopción) किसी दूसरे के बच्चे को कानूनी रूप से अपना बनाने की प्रक्रिया है।

adoptado

B1

गोद लिया हुआ' का अर्थ है कानूनी रूप से एक परिवार में लिया गया। यह किसी ऐसे व्यक्ति का वर्णन करता है जो जैविक बच्चा नहीं है, लेकिन परिवार का कानूनी सदस्य बन गया है। 'गोद लिया हुआ' एक व्यक्ति या जानवर का वर्णन करता है जिसे कानूनी रूप से एक नए परिवार ने स्वीकार किया है।

क्या यह मददगार था?
अभी तक कोई टिप्पणी नहीं। अपने विचार साझा करने वाले पहले व्यक्ति बनें!