QUICK ANSWER
"One" is an adjective which is often translated as "un", and "the one and only" is a phrase which is often translated as "único". Learn more about the difference between "one" and "the one and only" below.
one(
wuhn
)
An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
adjective
a. un
I'm taking one class this semester.Estoy tomando una clase este semestre.
My nephew is one year old.Mi sobrino tiene un año.
A noun is a word referring to a person, animal, place, thing, feeling, or idea (e.g., man, dog, house).
noun
a. el uno
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
(M)
One is the loneliest number that you've ever seen.Uno es el número más solitario que has visto.
a.
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
no direct translation
Charlie's one on Tuesday.Charlie cumple un año el martes.
Let's meet at one.Nos vemos a la una.
A pronoun is a word that stands in for a noun (e.g., she).
pronoun
a. el uno
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
(M)
, la una
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
(F)
I'll have a beer if you're having one.Yo me tomo una cerveza si tú tomas una.
b.
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
no direct translation
He's the one I told you about the other day.Ese es el de quien te hablé el otro día.
I think I'll take the yellow one.Creo que me llevo la amarilla.
c. el único
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
(M)
, la única
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
(F)
I knew from the start James was the one for me.Supe desde el principio que James era el único para mí.
a. el uno
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
(M)
, la una
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
(F)
When such a terrible thing happens, one is rendered speechless.Cuando pasa una cosa tan terrible, uno se queda sin palabras.
b.
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
no direct translation
In my experience, one is usually alone in life.En mi experiencia, en la vida sueles estar solo.
Sometimes one has to be cruel to be kind.A veces es verdad eso de que quien bien te quiere te hará llorar.
Copyright © 2025 Curiosity Media Inc.
the one and only(
thuh
 
wuhn
 
ahnd
 
on
-
li
)
A phrase is a group of words commonly used together (e.g., once upon a time).
phrase
a. único
Jeff is the one and only person who has been trained on this software.Jeff es la única persona que ha recibido adiestramiento sobre este software.
b. único e incomparable
Tonight's show features the one and only "Singing Chimp."El espectáculo de esta noche tiene como protagonista al único e incomparable "Mono Que Canta".
Copyright © 2025 Curiosity Media Inc.