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directamente

dee-rek-tah-MEN-teh/di.ɾek.taˈmen.te/

“directamente” means “directly” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

directly

Also: straight, at once
A cheerful blue arrow moving in a perfectly straight, unobstructed line from a yellow starting point to a red circular target, illustrating movement without deviation.

📝 In Action

El bus va directamente al centro de la ciudad.

A2

The bus goes directly to the city center.

Hablé directamente con el gerente, sin pasar por recepción.

B1

I spoke directly with the manager, without going through reception.

¿Podemos ir directamente al grano?

B2

Can we get straight to the point?

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • derecho (straight ahead)
  • en línea recta (in a straight line)

Antonyms

  • indirectamente (indirectly)
  • rodeando (going around)

Common Collocations

  • ir directamente – to go directly
  • afectar directamente – to directly affect

frankly, explicitly

Also: bluntly
A girl with wide, honest eyes speaking clearly and directly to a boy who looks slightly surprised. They are sitting face-to-face on colorful stools.

📝 In Action

Para serle honesto, te lo diré directamente: no me gusta la idea.

B1

To be honest, I'll tell you directly: I don't like the idea.

Ella preguntó directamente si él iba a renunciar.

B2

She asked explicitly if he was going to resign.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • con rodeos (in a roundabout way)
  • sutilmente (subtly)

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "directamente" in Spanish:

at once→bluntly→directly→explicitly→frankly→straight→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: directamente

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence uses 'directamente' to mean 'frankly' or 'explicitly'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

Comes from the Latin adjective *dīrēctus* (meaning 'straight' or 'guided') combined with the Spanish suffix -mente, which comes from the Latin word for 'mind' (*mens*). This structure is common in Spanish and literally means 'in a direct manner/mind'.

First recorded: Medieval Spanish period, alongside the adjective *directo*.

Cognates (Related words)

Italian: direttamenteFrench: directementPortuguese: diretamente

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Frequently Asked Questions

¿Es 'directamente' lo mismo que 'derecho'?

They are related! 'Derecho' often means 'straight ahead' (e.g., 'sigue derecho por esta calle'). 'Directamente' is broader and means 'without interruption or deviation,' whether in a physical path or a conversation.

Does 'directamente' always mean 'immediately'?

Not usually. For 'right now' or 'immediately,' Spanish speakers typically prefer 'ahora mismo' or 'inmediatamente.' While 'directamente' can imply quickness (because there are no delays), its main focus is the lack of intermediary steps.