vs
QUICK ANSWER
"Solo" is a form of "solo", an adjective which is often translated as "alone". "Solitario" is an adjective which is often translated as "lonely". Learn more about the difference between "solitario" and "solo" below.
solitario(
soh
-
lee
-
tah
-
ryoh
)An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
a. lonely
Lleva una vida muy solitaria desde que su esposa murió.He leads a very lonely life since his wife died.
b. solitary
El demonio de Tasmania es una criatura nocturna y solitaria.The Tasmanian devil is a nocturnal and solitary creature.
c. lonesome (United States)
Regionalism used in the United States
Es una persona muy solitaria, pero no es infeliz.He's a lonesome person, but he isn't unhappy.
2. (desolate)
a. deserted (street or area)
Caminó durante horas por las calles solitarias, con la luna su única compañía.He walked for hours through the empty streets, with the moon as his only companion.
b. empty (street or area)
Al amanecer, la plaza solitaria no parecía la misma de la noche anterior.At dawn, the empty square didn't seem the same as the previous night's.
This means that the noun can be masculine or feminine, depending on the gender of the noun it refers to (e.g., el doctor, la doctora).
a. loner
Rompió con su novia, dejó de ver a sus amigos y se convirtió en un solitario.He broke up with his girlfriend, stopped seeing his friends and became a loner.
b. recluse
La figura del escritor se identifica a menudo con la figura del solitario.The image of a writer is often identified with that of the recluse.
A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
4. (game)
a. solitaire (United States)
Regionalism used in the United States
Jugó al solitario mientras esperaba a que llegaran los demás jugadores de póker.He played solitaire while waiting for the other poker players to arrive.
b. patience (United Kingdom)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
Mientras estuve en el hospital, maté el tiempo haciendo solitarios.While in hospital, I killed time playing patience.
solo(
soh
-
loh
)An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
b. on one's own
¿Prefieres ver películas sola, o con amigos?Do you prefer to watch movies on your own, or with friends?
2. (lonesome)
a. lonely
Me sentía muy sola cuando llegué a Tokio por primera vez.I felt very lonely when I arrived in Tokyo for the first time.
3. (sole)
a. single
Este cuarto tiene un solo clóset, pero tenemos mucha ropa.This room has a single closet, but we have a lot of clothes.
An adverb is a word that describes a verb, an adjective, or other adverbs (e.g., to run quickly, very tired).
A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
