Spanish Phrase
Lo hablamos por privado.
Meaning
The sentence means ‘We’ll talk about it privately.’ It is used to suggest moving a discussion to a more confidential setting, often after a public or group conversation.
When to use
Use this phrase in informal or semi‑formal contexts—chat apps, meetings, or among friends—when you want to continue a topic away from others’ ears, especially if the matter is sensitive or personal.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Lohablamosporprivado.
Lo (direct object pronoun)
‘Lo’ replaces a masculine or neuter idea previously mentioned, acting as the direct object of the verb.
hablamos (present indicative, 1st person plural)
Conjugated from ‘hablar’, it means ‘we talk’ or ‘we will talk’ in the present tense.
por (preposition)
In this colloquial phrase ‘por’ functions like ‘en’, indicating the manner or place of the conversation – ‘in private’.
privado (adjective used adverbially)
‘Privado’ means ‘private’; when paired with ‘por’ or ‘en’, it creates an adverbial phrase meaning ‘privately’.
🗨In Conversation
¿Quieres seguir hablando de esto?
Do you want to keep talking about this?
Lo hablamos por privado.
Let’s talk about it privately.
✕Common Mistakes
Lo hablamos por privado.
‘Por’ is acceptable in informal chat, but many learners prefer the standard ‘en privado’. Use ‘en’ in formal writing.
Lo hablaremos por privado.
If you want to suggest a future action, you can also use the future tense ‘hablaremos’. The present works as a polite suggestion, but learners sometimes misuse tense.
Lo hablamos por privada.
‘Privada’ is the feminine form; the phrase requires the masculine/neuter ‘privado’ because it modifies the implied idea, not a feminine noun.
↔Alternatives
Lo hablamos en privado.
We’ll talk about it in private.
Hablemos en privado.
Let’s talk in private.
Lo discutimos en privado.
We’ll discuss it in private.
Cultural Tip
In many Spanish‑speaking countries, privacy is respected, but the exact preposition can vary. ‘Por privado’ is common in online chat and informal speech, while ‘en privado’ is the standard form in written or formal contexts. Adjust the preposition based on the register you need.