única
/OO-nee-kah/
only
The butterfly is the única (only) one present in the field.
📝 In Action
Es la única persona que habla japonés.
A2She is the only person who speaks Japanese.
Mi única opción es esperar.
B1My only option is to wait.
Ella fue la única testigo del accidente.
B2She was the sole witness to the accident.
💡 Grammar Points
Placement is Key
When 'única' comes before the thing it describes (like 'la única hija'), it means 'only'. This is its most common use.
Matching is a Must
'Única' is the form for feminine things. For masculine things, you'll use 'único'. It always has to match the gender of the word it describes.
❌ Common Pitfalls
'Sola' vs. 'Única'
Mistake: "La mujer única en la habitación."
Correction: La única mujer en la habitación. 'Única' means 'the only one of a group', while 'sola' means 'alone' or 'by herself'.
The glowing blue stone is única (unique) due to its special, one-of-a-kind appearance.
📝 In Action
Esta es una oportunidad única en la vida.
B1This is a unique, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Su voz tiene una calidad única.
B2Her voice has a unique quality.
La arquitectura de Gaudí es verdaderamente única.
C1Gaudí's architecture is truly unique.
💡 Grammar Points
Placement is Key (Part 2)
When 'única' comes after the thing it describes (like 'una experiencia única'), it often puts more emphasis on the meaning of 'unique' or 'special'.
⭐ Usage Tips
Adding Emphasis
Use this meaning to really praise something or highlight how special it is. It adds a strong positive feeling to what you're saying.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: única
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence best translates to 'This is a unique experience' (meaning it's special)?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between 'única' and 'sola'?
'Única' means 'the only one' of a group (la única persona) or 'unique/special' (una experiencia única). 'Sola' means 'alone' or 'by oneself' (Ella está sola).
Why does 'única' sometimes go before the noun and sometimes after?
Great question! Its position changes the emphasis. Before the noun ('la única casa'), it almost always means 'the only one'. After the noun ('una casa única'), it often highlights that the house is 'unique and special'.