único
“único” means “only” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
only
Also: sole, single
📝 In Action
Es mi único par de zapatos.
A2It's my only pair of shoes.
La única persona que sabe la verdad es Ana.
B1The only person who knows the truth is Ana.
No tengo hermanos, soy hijo único.
A2I don't have siblings, I'm an only child.
unique
Also: one-of-a-kind, unparalleled
📝 In Action
Este artista tiene un estilo único.
B1This artist has a unique style.
La vista desde la cima de la montaña es única.
B1The view from the top of the mountain is unique.
Es una oportunidad única, no la dejes pasar.
B2It's a one-of-a-kind opportunity, don't let it pass you by.
🔀 Commonly Confused With
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✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: único
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly says 'She is my only sister'?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼
Comes directly from the Latin word 'unicus', which means 'one and only' or 'sole'. It's related to 'unus', the Latin word for 'one'.
First recorded: Around the 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between 'único' and 'solo'?
It's a great question! Use 'único' before a noun to mean 'the only one' (e.g., 'el único coche' - the only car). Use 'solo' to mean 'just' or 'only' when it modifies a verb or the whole sentence (e.g., 'Solo quiero agua' - I only want water). 'Solo' can also mean 'alone' ('Estoy solo' - I am alone).
Why does the meaning of 'único' change depending on where it is?
Spanish has a few special adjectives that change their meaning slightly depending on whether they are placed before or after the noun they describe. Placing it *before* often gives it a more figurative or subjective meaning, while placing it *after* is usually more literal. For 'único', think of it this way: before = quantity ('only one'), after = quality ('special').