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"Awful" is an adjective which is often translated as "horrible", and "awfully" is an adverb which is often translated as "extremadamente". Learn more about the difference between "awful" and "awfully" below.
awful(
a
-
fuhl
)An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
1. (dreadful)
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
An awful lot has been written on the subject.Se ha escrito un montón sobre el tema.
He's an awful tease.Es muy bromista.
3. (literary) (old-fashioned) (awesome)
A word or phrase restricted in usage to literature or established writing (e.g., sex, once upon a time).
A word or phrase that is seldom used in contemporary language and is recognized as being from another decade, (e.g., cat, groovy).
a. formidable
The thief fled as the knight drew his awful sword to kill him.El ladrón huyó cuando el caballero sacó su formidable espada para matarlo.
An adverb is a word that describes a verb, an adjective, or other adverbs (e.g., to run quickly, very tired).
4. (colloquial) (extremely) (United States)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in the United States
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
It's awful hot in the office.Hace un calor tremendo en la oficina.
That puppy is awful cute!¡Ese cachorro es monísimo!
awfully(
a
-
fuh
-
li
)An adverb is a word that describes a verb, an adjective, or other adverbs (e.g., to run quickly, very tired).
1. (colloquial) (extremely)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
a. extremadamente
The house is awfully big for one person.La casa es extremadamente grande para una persona.
c. tremendamente
I'm awfully sorry to have to tell you this.Siento tremendamente tener que decirte esto.
d. muy
Martin is awfully nice but I don't find him attractive.Martin es muy simpático pero no lo encuentro atractivo.
e. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
That young violinist is awfully good.Esa joven violinista es buenísima.
Zoe's parents are going to be awfully annoyed.Los padres de Zoe se van a enojar mucho.
2. (terribly)
a. espantosamente
We reached the final but we played awfully and we got a thrashing.Llegamos a la final pero jugamos espantosamente y nos dieron una paliza.
b. fatal
I don't understand why people buy her books. In my opinion she writes awfully.No entiendo por qué la gente compra sus libros. En mi opinión escribe fatal.
c. pésimamente
The schoolchildren behaved awfully on the trip.Los colegiales se portaron pésimamente en la excursión.
