altamente
al-TAH-men-te
📝 In Action
El nuevo software es altamente eficiente.
B1The new software is highly efficient.
La situación se considera altamente riesgosa.
B2The situation is considered extremely risky.
El jurado encontró su testimonio altamente creíble.
C1The jury found her testimony highly credible.
💡 Grammar Points
Forming Adverbs with -mente
Most Spanish adverbs like 'altamente' are formed by taking the feminine singular form of an adjective ('alta') and adding the ending '-mente.' This works just like adding '-ly' in English.
Invariable Word
Since 'altamente' is an adverb, it always stays the same. It does not change its ending to match the gender (masculine/feminine) or number (singular/plural) of the word it modifies.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing Adverb and Adjective
Mistake: "La situación es alta compleja. (Using the adjective 'alta' instead of the adverb.)"
Correction: La situación es altamente compleja. (Use 'altamente' because it modifies the adjective 'compleja,' telling us *how* complex it is.)
⭐ Usage Tips
Using 'Altamente' vs. 'Muy'
'Altamente' is a strong intensifier, often used for qualities, risks, or professional status. While 'muy' (very) is common for everything, 'altamente' gives a more serious or formal tone, often emphasizing a degree of quality or danger.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: altamente
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'altamente' correctly?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use 'muy' instead of 'altamente'?
Yes, in most casual conversations, 'muy' (very) works fine. However, 'altamente' is a stronger, more descriptive word that often implies a formal or technical context, especially when discussing qualifications, probability, or risk.
Does 'altamente' relate to physical height?
While it comes from the word 'alto' (high/tall), 'altamente' is almost always used metaphorically to mean 'to a great degree' or 'extremely.' You wouldn't use it to describe how tall a tower is.