Inklingo
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A simple wooden toy block with a square hole, and a matching square wooden peg that is perfectly inserted into the hole, demonstrating a task completed correctly.

correctamente

koh-rek-tah-MEN-teh

adverbA2
correctly?in the right way
Also:properly?according to rules or etiquette,rightly?justifiably

📝 In Action

Si sigues las instrucciones correctamente, el plato saldrá delicioso.

A2

If you follow the instructions correctly, the dish will turn out delicious.

Ella no contestó correctamente a la pregunta del profesor.

A1

She did not answer the teacher's question correctly.

Por favor, asegúrate de que el documento esté firmado correctamente antes de enviarlo.

B1

Please, make sure the document is signed properly before sending it.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • bien (well)
  • adecuadamente (adequately)
  • apropiadamente (appropriately)

Antonyms

  • incorrectamente (incorrectly)
  • mal (badly)

Common Collocations

  • funcionar correctamente – to work correctly
  • escribir correctamente – to write correctly

💡 Grammar Points

The '-mente' Adverb Rule

Most Spanish adverbs that end in '-ly' (like 'correctly') are formed by taking the feminine version of the adjective ('correcta') and adding '-mente'.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Using the Adjective instead of the Adverb

Mistake: "El coche funciona correcto."

Correction: El coche funciona correctamente. (Remember, use the adverb to describe *how* the action of working is done.)

⭐ Usage Tips

Adverb Placement

Like in English, 'correctamente' usually goes right after the verb it is describing: 'Hablaste correctamente' (You spoke correctly).

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: correctamente

Question 1 of 1

Which sentence uses 'correctamente' to describe how a task was done?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

correcto(correct (adjective)) - adjective
corrección(correction) - noun
corregir(to correct) - verb

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does 'correctamente' end in -a- before the -mente?

The adverbial suffix -mente is always attached to the feminine singular form of the adjective. The feminine adjective is 'correcta,' so we get 'correctamente.' This is a very predictable pattern for adverbs in Spanish!