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sencillamente

sen-see-yah-MEN-teh/sen.si.ʝaˈmen.te/

“sencillamente” means “simply” in Spanish (to do something in an easy or basic way).

simply, just

Also: plainly, quite simply
A child drawing a basic smiley face on a piece of paper with a single yellow crayon.

📝 In Action

Tienes que explicarlo sencillamente para que los niños lo entiendan.

A2

You have to explain it simply so that the children understand.

Sencillamente no tengo suficiente dinero para ese coche.

B1

I simply don't have enough money for that car.

Ella se viste sencillamente, pero siempre se ve elegante.

B2

She dresses plainly, but she always looks elegant.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • complicadamente (in a complicated way)
  • difícilmente (with difficulty)

Common Collocations

  • Sencillamente espectacular – Simply spectacular
  • Vivir sencillamente – To live simply
  • Sencillamente imposible – Quite simply impossible

Idioms & Expressions

  • Sencillamente y llanamente – To speak plainly and directly without beating around the bush.

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "sencillamente" in Spanish:

just→plainly→quite simply→simply→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: sencillamente

Question 1 of 3

Which of these means 'I simply don't know'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
sencillo(simple/easy) — Adjective
sencillez(simplicity) — Noun
simplificar(to simplify) — Verb
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

Derived from the Spanish adjective 'sencillo' (simple), which comes from the Latin 'singellus', a version of 'singulus' meaning 'single' or 'one-fold'. The suffix '-mente' comes from the Latin word for 'mind' (mens/mente).

First recorded: 15th Century

Cognates (Related words)

Portuguese: singelamenteItalian: semplicemente

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Frequently Asked Questions

Does 'sencillamente' change if I'm talking about a girl?

No! Adverbs (words that describe how something is done) never change for gender or number. They always stay the same.

When should I use 'sencillamente' instead of 'simplemente'?

In 90% of cases, you can use either. However, 'sencillamente' sounds a bit more sophisticated and is often preferred when talking about a simple or humble style.

Can it mean 'easily'?

Yes, in some contexts it can imply that something is easy to do, though 'fácilmente' is the direct word for 'easily'.