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"Only" is an adverb which is often translated as "solo", and "one" is an adjective which is often translated as "un". Learn more about the difference between "only" and "one" below.
only(
on
-
li
)An adverb is a word that describes a verb, an adjective, or other adverbs (e.g., to run quickly, very tired).
a. solo
This is an honor reserved only for important people.Este es un honor que se reserva solo para gente importante.
b. solamente
Only people with boarding passes are permitted beyond this point.Solamente personas con pases de abordar se permiten más allá de este punto.
c. únicamente
Only people older than 21 years old can enter the bar.Únicamente gente de 21 años o más puede entrar al bar.
3. (merely)
a. solamente
I'm only an assistant. My boss makes those decisions.Solamente soy un asistente. Mi jefe toma esas decisiones.
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
I saw them only last week and they seemed happy. I can't believe they broke up.Los vi apenas hace una semana y parecían felices. No puedo creer que hayan roto.
It seems like only yesterday that we were getting married, and now we're celebrating our 25th anniversary.Parece que solo fue ayer que nos casamos, y ahora estamos celebrando nuestro 25 aniversario.
An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
A conjunction is a word that connects words, phrases, clauses, or sentences (e.g., The cat and the dog slept.).
a. pero
I'd really like to go, only I have to work that day.De veras me gustaría ir, pero tengo que trabajar ese día.
one(
wuhn
)An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
A noun is a word referring to a person, animal, place, thing, feeling, or idea (e.g., man, dog, house).
2. (number)
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word 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).
a. el uno (M), la una (F)
(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).
(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).
I'll have a beer if you're having one.Yo me tomo una cerveza si tú tomas una.
b. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word 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), la única (F)
(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).
(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).
I knew from the start James was the one for me.Supe desde el principio que James era el único para mí.
5. (indefinite)
a. el uno (M), la una (F)
(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).
(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).
When such a terrible thing happens, one is rendered speechless.Cuando pasa una cosa tan terrible, uno se queda sin palabras.
b. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word 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.
