sólo
/SO-lo/
📝 In Action
Sólo quiero un café.
A1I only want one coffee.
Hablo sólo un poco de español.
A1I speak just a little Spanish.
Esto es sólo el comienzo.
B1This is only the beginning.
💡 Grammar Points
The Big Accent Debate
Traditionally, 'sólo' with an accent mark meant 'only'. The official rule now says the accent is optional, so you'll see 'solo' used for 'only' too. Many people still use the accent to be extra clear.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Mixing up 'Only' and 'Alone'
Mistake: "'Quiero estar sólo.'"
Correction: This could mean 'I only want to exist'. To say 'I want to be alone,' use the adjective: 'Quiero estar solo.' For clarity, 'sólo' (only) usually goes before the action.
⭐ Usage Tips
Use 'Solamente' to Be Clear
If you're ever worried about being misunderstood, you can always use 'solamente' instead of 'sólo'. It means the exact same thing ('only') and is never confused with 'alone'.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: sólo
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly means 'She wants to travel alone'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to use the accent on 'sólo' when I mean 'only'?
No, you don't have to. Since 2010, the official guideline from the Royal Spanish Academy (RAE) is that 'solo' (without the accent) can be used for both 'only' and 'alone'. However, many people still add the accent ('sólo') to mean 'only' just to be perfectly clear and avoid any confusion. It's good to recognize both.
What's the difference between 'sólo' and 'solamente'?
They mean the exact same thing ('only') and you can almost always use them interchangeably. 'Solamente' is a bit longer and can sometimes feel a tiny bit more formal, but in everyday conversation, they are perfect substitutes for each other.