solitario
“solitario” means “solitary” in Spanish. It has 3 different meanings depending on context:
solitary, lonely
Also: secluded, lone
📝 In Action
Mi gato es muy solitario y no le gustan otros animales.
A2My cat is very solitary and doesn't like other animals.
Después de que se fueron todos, se sintió muy solitario.
B1After everyone left, he felt very lonely.
Viven en una casa solitaria en la cima de la montaña.
B2They live in a secluded house on the top of the mountain.
hermit, recluse
Also: Solitaire
📝 In Action
El viejo solitario rara vez bajaba del monte.
B1The old hermit rarely came down from the mountain.
Si no tienes con quién jugar, puedes jugar al solitario.
A2If you don't have anyone to play with, you can play solitaire (the card game).
solitaire
Also: single stone ring
📝 In Action
Le propuso matrimonio con un anillo de solitario precioso.
C1He proposed to her with a beautiful solitaire ring.
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✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: solitario
Question 1 of 2
Which Spanish sentence uses 'solitario' as a noun referring to the card game?
📚 More Resources
📚 Etymology▼
The word comes from the Latin word *solitarius*, which itself is derived from *solus*, meaning 'alone.' It has maintained its core meaning of being by oneself for centuries.
First recorded: Around the 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'solitario' always negative, implying sadness or loneliness?
Not always! While it can mean 'lonely' (feeling sad), it often just means 'solitary' or 'secluded' (being alone by choice or location). Context is key to knowing if it implies sadness or just preference.
How do I say 'a lone wolf' in Spanish?
The common phrase is 'un lobo solitario.' This is a great example of 'solitario' being used as an adjective to describe an animal or person who acts independently.