Inklingo

firme

FEER-meh/ˈfiɾme/

firm, steady

Also: solid, stable
Adjectivem or fA2
A massive, stable gray boulder resting immovably on a patch of green grass, illustrating stability.

📝 In Action

Asegúrate de que la mesa esté firme antes de poner el jarrón.

A2

Make sure the table is firm before you put the vase on it.

Caminamos por tierra firme después de salir del barco.

B1

We walked on firm ground after getting off the boat.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • mantenerse firmeto stand firm
  • terreno firmefirm ground

resolute, determined

Also: unwavering
Adjectivem or fB1
A young child stands tall with their hands on their hips, looking straight ahead with a focused and determined expression.

📝 In Action

El director mantuvo una postura firme durante la negociación.

B1

The director maintained a firm stance during the negotiation.

Necesitas ser firme con los niños para que te respeten.

B2

You need to be firm with the children so they respect you.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • dudoso (doubtful)
  • vacilante (hesitant)

Common Collocations

  • decisión firmefirm decision
  • carácter firmefirm character

roadbed, pavement

Also: foundation
NounmB2formal
A simple cross-section view illustrating the layers of a road, emphasizing the thick, foundational layer made of crushed stone and gravel.

📝 In Action

Las obras de reparación del firme de la autopista durarán dos semanas.

B2

The repair works on the highway pavement will last two weeks.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • pavimento (pavement)

Common Collocations

  • el firme de la carreterathe road surface

Translate to Spanish

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: firme

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence uses 'firme' to describe a physical, stable quality?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family
firma(signature, company)Noun
firmar(to sign)Verb
firmemente(firmly, steadfastly)Adverb
🎵 Rhymes
📚 Etymology

Comes directly from the Latin word 'firmus', meaning 'strong, stable, or solid'. It has maintained its core meaning of strength and stability throughout its history in Spanish.

First recorded: Around the 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

Italian: fermoPortuguese: firme

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'firme' related to the verb 'firmar' (to sign)?

They are related! 'Firmar' (to sign) means to make something 'firme' or legally solid. The word 'firme' itself is the adjective meaning solid or steady. However, be careful: 'firme' can also be a special verb form (subjunctive or command) of 'firmar' when you are talking to 'usted' (the formal 'you'): 'Firme aquí' means 'Sign here.'

How do I know if 'firme' is a noun or an adjective?

As an adjective, 'firme' describes a noun (e.g., 'una base firme'). As a noun ('el firme'), it is usually preceded by 'el' and almost always refers to the road surface or pavement, which is a technical use.