privar
verbCEFR B2
What does “privar” mean in English?
to deprive of, to strip of
to deprive of, to strip of (privar a alguien de algo — take away access to a right, resource, or condition)
Example sentences
Miles de familias fueron privadas de electricidad y agua potable como consecuencia del ciclón.
Thousands of families were deprived of electricity and drinking water as a consequence of the cyclone.
El régimen privó a la población de los derechos más básicos durante décadas.
The regime deprived the population of the most basic rights for decades.
Vivir privado de luz natural durante meses tiene efectos psicológicos profundos en las personas.
Living deprived of natural light for months has profound psychological effects on people.
How to use it
Privar (de) means 'to deprive of' — removing access to something a person has a right to or relies on. Frame: privar a alguien de algo. Often appears in passive: fueron privados de. The resulting adjective privado de (deprived of) is equally common. Register is neutral to formal.
Common mistake
Privar requires two prepositions: privar a alguien DE algo (deprive someone of something). Personal a is required for the human recipient. The passive form privado/a de + noun is equally B2-level essential. Don't confuse with quitar (take away informally) or negar (deny access).