solo y solamente

Question

Can someone please explain to me the difference between solo y solamente? The translator translates them as the same word in ingles.

solAmente - rabbitwho, Jan 29, 2012

It depends of the context. for instance when you say: I just paid five dollars = yo solo pague cinco dolares. - Ofloda, Jan 29, 2012

; it would be the same as = yo solamente pague cinco dolares. - Ofloda, Jan 29, 2012

Gracias por la ayuda. - craftinine, Jan 29, 2012

Answer 1

sólo = solamente

solo = alone.

The dictionary does not explain them as being the same word. You need to be careful with your spelling;

solo

solamente

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Just to add, the RAE says that solo can also mean solamente now. But this is really silly, illogical, and confusing for everyone, and so we are hoping they will change their minds before it catches on. Many famous Spanish writers are refusing to do it. - rabbitwho, Jan 29, 2012

Ok, rabbit...your explanation above deserves a 10. Now, about your comment, well, not sure what to say......btw, I live in Ireland myself. - pepitogrillo, Jan 29, 2012

There is a rule for tildes and the word 'solo' doesn't take a tilde at all never. You can use tilde just to give por accent to the word. - Ofloda, Jan 29, 2012

solo does not take a tilde, of course, sólo does. They are different words. The RAE made new rules that sólo should be without a tilde, which makes it identical to solo, which can cause confusion in certain circumstances. - rabbitwho, Jan 29, 2012

And ofloda even with the new rules what you said is wrong. The RAE says that sólo is still sólo in those circumstances where it is especially important to distinguish it from solo. - rabbitwho, Jan 29, 2012

"Yo sólo pretendí humanizar la ortografía, sólo pedí la simplificación de la gramática, no su supresión", se defendió García Márquez. - There is an example, without the tilde that sentence would have a different meaning. - rabbitwho, Jan 29, 2012

Gracias por la ayuda - craftinine, Jan 29, 2012

Rabbit, my apologies. Obviously you know what you are talking about. 10 also for all your comment. - pepitogrillo, Jan 29, 2012

The one thing I didn´t realize was that the rule was around for longer than I thought, I am still rebelling against it though! - rabbitwho, Jan 29, 2012

Answer 2

"Sólo" is an abreviated form of "solamente." They mean exactly the same, but a tilde is required on "sólo" to distinguish it from "solo" (alone).

I am afraid they don't mean the same. only is the same that alone.:) - pepitogrillo, Jan 29, 2012

Answer 3

I am afraid they don't mean the same. only is the same that alone. - pepitogrillo

sólo.

1. adv. m. Únicamente, solamente.

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