Definition
To trust someone or something; to feel confident that a person or thing is reliable and good.
Example
Puedo confiar en mis amigos cuando los necesito.
Show translation
I can trust my friends when I need them.
Etymology
From Latin *confidere* ("to have full faith"), a compound of *con-* (intensifier, "together/fully") + *fidere* ("to trust"), from *fides* ("faith, trust"). The same root gives English "confide," "confidence," and "fidelity," and Spanish *fe* (faith).
Cultural note
In Spanish-speaking cultures, *confianza* (the noun form of *confiar*) carries deep social weight — it describes a bond of mutual trust and intimacy that goes beyond simple reliability. Saying someone is *de confianza* ("trustworthy") is a strong personal endorsement. Watch out for the false friend trap: *confiar* does NOT mean "to confess" — that's *confesar*.