How To Say Specific In Spanish

The Spanish word for “specific” is “específico” (or “específica”); “en concreto” and “específicamente” work when you mean “in particular.”

You can translate “specific” into Spanish in a few different ways in real contexts, and the right pick depends on what you’re trying to say. Sometimes you mean “precise and detailed.” Sometimes you mean “a particular one.” Sometimes you’re asking someone to name something, not talk in general. Spanish gives you clean options for each case, once you know what each one does.

What “Specific” Means In English Before You Translate It

English uses “specific” for several ideas that overlap. Spanish often chooses a different word based on the idea you mean. Start by sorting your sentence into one of these buckets:

Precise or detailed: “The instructions are specific.”
Particular one: “I need a specific date.”
Named directly: “Be specific.”
In particular: “I mean this specific part.”

Once you know which idea you mean, the Spanish becomes easy and sounds natural.

The closest direct match is específico. It’s an adjective, so it agrees with what it describes.

Gender And Number Agreement

Spanish adjectives change their ending to match the noun.

Masculine singular: específico
Feminine singular: específica
Masculine plural: específicos
Feminine plural: específicas

Try building a sentence by pairing it with a noun you already know.

un detalle específico
una razón específica
unos pasos específicos
unas reglas específicas

Pronunciation And Accent Marks

Específico has an accent mark on the second “i”: es-pe-CÍ-fi-co. That accent shows where the stress goes. If you drop it in writing, readers still get your meaning, but it looks like a spelling slip, so it’s worth keeping.

When “Específico” Sounds Best

Use específico when you mean “precise,” “clearly defined,” or “not vague.” It’s common in school, work, medicine, and instructions. It’s also fine in casual speech when the tone calls for clarity.

Necesito una respuesta específica.
El profesor pidió ejemplos específicos.
Busco una hora específica para la reunión.

Other Ways To Say “Specific” In Spanish By Situation

Spanish often swaps the adjective for a phrase that matches the intent better. These are the ones you’ll see most.

“En Concreto” For “In Particular”

En concreto means “specifically” in the sense of “in particular” or “to be precise about this point.” It’s a short add-on that narrows the focus.

Quiero hablar de un tema, en concreto, del costo.
Me interesan varios libros; en concreto, el primero.

“En Particular” For A Narrow Pick

En particular points to one item inside a group. It’s friendly and common, and it fits both speech and writing.

No tengo una marca en particular.
Me gustó una parte en particular.

“Precisar” And “Precisamente” When You Need Precision

When “specific” leans toward “precise,” Spanish can use the verb precisar (to specify, to state) or the adverb precisamente (precisely). These show that you’re pinning something down.

¿Puedes precisar la fecha?
Necesito que me digas precisamente qué pasó.

“Detallado” When You Mean “Detailed”

Sometimes English “specific” often means “detailed.” In that case, detallado (detailed) can sound more natural than específico.

Necesito una explicación detallada.
El informe es detallado y claro.

Pick The Best Translation By Context

Use this quick check: what do you want the listener to do?

If You Want A Named Item, Not A General Answer

Use específico with the noun, or use precisar as a verb.

Dame un ejemplo específico.
Precisa el lugar, por favor.

If You’re Narrowing A Topic Mid-Sentence

Use en concreto, en particular, or específicamente.

Hablamos de varios errores, en concreto del segundo.
Me refiero específicamente a tu último mensaje.

If You’re Describing Instructions, Rules, Or Requirements

Específico works well, and detallado may fit if the emphasis is on depth.

Las reglas son específicas.
Las instrucciones son detalladas.

Common Mistakes English Speakers Make

Most errors come from treating “specific” as one fixed word in each sentence. Watch these spots.

Forgetting Agreement

Específico must match the noun. If you write “una respuesta específico,” it jumps off the page. Make it “una respuesta específica.”

Overusing “Específico” In Places Where Spanish Prefers A Phrase

In many sentences, en concreto or en particular sounds lighter and more native than repeating específico again and again.

Using “Especifico” Without The Accent In Formal Writing

In a text message, people drop accents. In school or work writing, keep the accent in específico, específicamente, and especificación.

Quick Reference: Forms And Close Meanings

The table below pulls the main options into one place so you can scan and pick fast.

English Intent	Spanish Option	When It Fits
Specific (precise)	específico / específica	Clear, not vague; tied to a noun
Be specific	Sé específico / Sé específica	Asking for clarity in speech
Specify (state)	precisar	Requesting exact details
Specifically (in particular)	en concreto	Narrowing to one point
In particular	en particular	Choosing one item from a set
Specifically (direct focus)	específicamente	Pointing to a target item
Detailed	detallado / detallada	Emphasis on depth and detail
Exact	exacto / exacta	Numbers, times, correct match

Ready-To-Use Sentences For Real Life

Memorizing single words helps, but full sentences make you fluent faster. Here are lines that handle the most common situations.

In School And Study Settings

¿Podrías ser más específico con tu respuesta?
Necesito un ejemplo específico del texto.
El examen pide detalles específicos.

At Work Or In Email

¿Puedes precisar el objetivo del proyecto?
Me refiero específicamente al presupuesto.
Busco una fecha específica para entregar el informe.

In Daily Conversation

¿Cuál en particular quieres?
Dime en concreto qué te molestó.
No quiero algo general; quiero algo específico.

Polite Ways To Ask Someone To Clarify

“Be specific” can sound blunt in English. Spanish has soft options that still get you the detail you want.

¿Me das más detalles?
¿Puedes decirme exactamente cuál?
¿A qué te refieres, en concreto?
¿Podrías explicarlo con más claridad?

If you’re speaking to a teacher, a boss, or someone you don’t know well, add “por favor” and use “podría” instead of “podrías.”

Word Families That Help You Sound Natural

Once you know específico, you can recognize related forms in reading and use them in your own writing.

especificar (to specify): Necesito especificar las condiciones.
especificación (specification): La especificación técnica está lista.
especificidad (specificity): La especificidad del término es alta.
específicamente (specifically): Hablo específicamente de este punto.

Second Quick Scan Table: What To Use In Common Phrases

This table pairs English phrases with Spanish choices you can copy without thinking too hard.

English Phrase	Spanish	Notes
Be specific	Sé específico / Sé específica	Direct but normal with friends
More specific	más específico / más específica	Agreement still applies
Specific details	detalles específicos	Good for writing
A specific person	una persona en particular	Sounds natural in speech
Specifically about	específicamente sobre	Common in school tasks
To specify	especificar / precisar	Both work; precisar feels formal

A Simple Checklist Before You Hit Send Or Speak

Do you mean “precise,” “detailed,” or “a particular one”?
Match the adjective ending to the noun: específico, específica, específicos, específicas.
If you’re narrowing focus mid-sentence, try en concreto or en particular.
For exact details, use precisar, or use exactamente for “exactly.”
Keep the accent marks in formal writing: específico, específicamente, especificación.

Wrap-Up: You Can Say It Like A Native

If you want the direct adjective, go with específico and match it to your noun. If you’re pointing to one item inside a group, en particular often sounds best. If you’re narrowing the topic to one point, en concreto does the job. With those three tools, you can translate “specific” cleanly in most sentences and avoid the awkward, repeated-English feel.