vertraulich
confidential
Not intended for the public; to be kept secret.
EXAMPLE
Diese Dokumente sind streng vertraulich und dürfen den Raum nicht verlassen.
These documents are strictly confidential and must not leave the room.
vertraulich
confidential
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Meanings
vertraulich
confidential
Describing an atmosphere or relationship shaped by close, personal trust.
EXAMPLE
In einem vertraulichen Gespräch erzählte er mir von seinen Sorgen.
In a confidential conversation, he told me about his worries.
Usage tips
Word structure
The adjective 'vertraulich' (confidential) is derived from the noun 'das Vertrauen' (trust). It describes something that is based on trust or requires trust.
EXAMPLE
Danke für deine Offenheit, ich schätze unser vertrauliches Verhältnis.
Thank you for your openness; I appreciate our confidential relationship.
Context clue
If 'vertraulich' (confidential) refers to information or documents, it means 'secret'. If it refers to a conversation or atmosphere, it means 'personal and shaped by trust'.
EXAMPLE
Bitte behandeln Sie diese Kundenliste streng vertraulich.
Please treat this customer list as strictly confidential.
Typical collocations
In the meaning 'secret', the word is often combined with nouns like 'Dokumente' (documents), 'Informationen' (information), 'Daten' (data), or 'Angelegenheit' (matter). A very common phrase is 'etwas vertraulich behandeln' (to treat something as confidential).
EXAMPLE
Alle Mitarbeiter müssen eine Vereinbarung unterschreiben, um Firmendaten vertraulich zu behandeln.
All employees must sign an agreement to treat company data as confidential.
Typical collocations
In the meaning 'shaped by trust', it often describes the type of communication, e.g. 'ein vertrauliches Gespräch' (a confidential conversation), 'ein vertraulicher Brief' (a confidential letter), or 'ein vertraulicher Ton' (a confidential tone).
EXAMPLE
In vertraulicher Atmosphäre erzählte sie von ihren Plänen.
In a confidential atmosphere, she talked about her plans.
Compare with
vertraulich vs privat
private
Both words can refer to information or conversations that are not intended for the public. „Privat“ assigns something to the personal sphere, while „vertraulich“ additionally requires that the information remain secret. Use „privat“ for the personal character and „vertraulich“ when there is an obligation not to pass the information on.
vertraulich
Die Ärztin behandelt die Informationen aus dem Gespräch vertraulich und gibt sie nicht weiter.
The doctor treats the information from the conversation as confidential and does not pass it on.
privat
Das Gespräch über unsere Familienprobleme bleibt privat und findet zu Hause statt.
The conversation about our family problems remains private and takes place at home.
In real life
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