Reliable, Trustworthy, Dependable.

Question

I have encountered so many words/vocabulary for expressing the english words "trustworthy and reliable" that I am all muffled up.. and not sure which one to use in which context..

I am listing down all the vocabulary I have learned till date which all equate to the english words, trustworthy or reliable :

1. Digno de confianza.
2. Confiable.
3. Fiable.
4. De confianza.
5. Fidedigno/Fidedigna.
6. Serio. (which also means serious)
7. Formal.

I am sure that all of the aforementioned vocabulary can't be used interchangeably in the circumstances and contexts and this is what renders me dazed ..hehe

For example .. serio/seria or formal can only be used with human subjects ... I can't say .. mi coche es muy serio .. haha .. sounds funny..

Can someone help please..

Gracias de antemano

Regards Jimmy

Truly a good post. - pacofinkler, Oct 23, 2014

English should be capitalized. - rac1, Oct 24, 2014

Thanks Paco :) - Joydeep_Singh, Oct 24, 2014

Answer 1

You are absolutly correct, it is all about context. I have heard native speakers use the same word in totally different context, but also using a particular word in a particular context. ( this leaves us learners totally swimmy-headed) When I ask my wife (a native speaker) why?? she simply tells me to "go check the context", these words cannot be used interchangeably.

My car can be "confiable" but my friend would be "digno de confianza" although in certain contexts my friend can be " una persona confiable".

( I spend a lot of time in Word Reference figuring this stuff out )

Buena suerte Jimmy !

Thanks Paco, but this is one of the biggest challenges while trying to learn a new language, acquiring the vocabulary ain't as difficult but putting it to right use is the major headache .. hehe - Joydeep_Singh, Oct 24, 2014