A perfectly balanced golden scale of justice, resting on a simple wooden surface, symbolizing adherence to the law.

legalmente

leh-gahl-MEHN-teh

adverbB1

legally?according to the law

Also:lawfully?in compliance with rules,by right?as a legal entitlement

📝 In Action

La empresa está legalmente obligada a pagar las horas extra.

The company is legally required to pay overtime.

Para conducir, debes obtener tu licencia legalmente.

To drive, you must obtain your license legally.

Legalmente, no pueden despedirte sin una causa justificada.

Legally, they cannot fire you without a justified reason.

Word Connections

Synonyms

lícitamente (lawfully)
oficialmente (officially)

Antonyms

ilegalmente (illegally)
ilícitamente (unlawfully)

Common Collocations

legalmente vinculante – legally binding
legalmente ciego – legally blind
legalmente reconocido – legally recognized

💡 Grammar Points

Adverb Formation

Adverbs ending in '-mente' are built from the feminine form of an adjective (like 'legal' which is the same for masculine and feminine) plus the suffix '-mente'. This works just like adding '-ly' in English.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Using the Adjective Instead

Mistake: "Using 'legal' when you need 'legalmente' (e.g., *'Lo hizo legal'*)."

Correction: Always use the full '-mente' form when describing how an action (a verb) is performed: 'Lo hizo legalmente' (He did it legally).

⭐ Usage Tips

Placement Flexibility

'Legalmente' can often be placed at the start of a sentence to modify the entire statement, or directly after the verb it describes, offering flexibility in sentence structure.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: legalmente

Question 1 of 1

Which sentence correctly uses 'legalmente'?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

legal(legal (adjective)) - adjective

ley(law) - noun

legalizar(to legalize) - verb

legalidad(legality) - noun

Frequently Asked Questions

Does 'legalmente' always imply something is good or moral?

Not necessarily. 'Legalmente' only means that something complies with the established laws of a specific government or authority. Laws can change, and something legal might not always be considered ethical or moral.

How is 'legalmente' different from 'legal'?

'Legal' is an adjective that describes a noun (a person, thing, or idea), like 'un contrato legal' (a legal contract). 'Legalmente' is an adverb that describes a verb (an action), like 'firmar legalmente' (to sign legally).