Inklingo
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únicos

/OO-nee-kohs/

only

Two bright red apples resting side-by-side in the center of a wide, empty green field under a clear blue sky, emphasizing that they are the sole objects present.

This illustrates 'only' or 'sole instance,' showing that these two apples are the únicos items present.

únicos(adjective)

mA2

only

?

sole instance

,

single

?

just one set

Also:

sole

?

formal way of saying 'only'

📝 In Action

Ellos son los únicos que tienen la llave de la oficina.

A2

They are the only ones who have the office key.

Estos son los únicos errores que encontramos en el informe.

B1

These are the only mistakes we found in the report.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • solos (alone)
  • exclusivos (exclusive)

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • los únicos sobrevivientes – the only survivors

💡 Grammar Points

Adjective Agreement

Since 'únicos' ends in -os, it must describe masculine, plural nouns (like 'libros' or 'días'). Its feminine plural form is 'únicas'.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Confusing 'Único' and 'Solo'

Mistake: "Using 'solo' when you mean 'the only one of its kind'."

Correction: 'Solo' usually means 'alone.' Use 'único' to mean 'the only example' or 'sole.' (E.g., 'El único libro,' not 'El solo libro.')

⭐ Usage Tips

Placement for Emphasis

When 'único' means 'only' or 'sole,' it almost always goes before the noun it describes.

A line of identical blue rubber ducks. Two adjacent ducks in the center are distinct: one wears a tiny gold crown and the other wears a small striped scarf, highlighting their special nature.

These two ducks are 'unique' or 'special,' making them únicos compared to the rest of the group.

únicos(adjective)

mB1

unique

?

special or unmatched

,

exceptional

?

standing out

Also:

peerless

?

literary/formal

📝 In Action

Sus talentos son verdaderamente únicos; no hay otros como ellos.

B1

Their talents are truly unique; there are no others like them.

Estos diseños abstractos son únicos en el mundo del arte.

C1

These abstract designs are unique in the art world.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • comunes (common)
  • ordinarios (ordinary)

Common Collocations

  • momentos únicos – unique moments

💡 Grammar Points

Uniqueness Placement

When 'únicos' means 'unique' (special), it usually comes after the noun, just like most descriptive Spanish adjectives.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Using the wrong form

Mistake: "Saying 'único' when referring to multiple items or people."

Correction: Remember the plural -s: 'Ellos son únicos' (They are unique), not 'Ellos son único'.

⭐ Usage Tips

Adding Emphasis

You can strengthen this meaning by adding words like 'realmente' (really) or 'verdaderamente' (truly) before 'únicos'.

Two smiling children, a boy and a girl, holding hands while standing on a small, brightly lit circular patch of green ground. The surrounding area is dark and empty, focusing attention exclusively on them.

When referring to people, únicos can mean 'the only ones,' emphasizing that these two children are the sole subjects in focus.

únicos(noun)

mB2

the only ones

?

referring to people or things

,

the unique ones

?

referring to special items

Also:

the singular examples

?

formal/literary

📝 In Action

De todos los participantes, los únicos que terminaron la carrera fueron ellos.

B2

Out of all the participants, the only ones who finished the race were them.

Guardamos estos artefactos en una caja de seguridad porque son los únicos que quedan.

C1

We keep these artifacts in a safe because they are the only ones left.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • los elegidos (the chosen ones)

💡 Grammar Points

Adjective to Noun

When you put an article ('los' or 'las') right before 'únicos' or 'únicas', the adjective acts like a noun, meaning 'the only people' or 'the only things'.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: únicos

Question 1 of 1

Which sentence uses 'únicos' to mean 'special' or 'one-of-a-kind'?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

único(unique (masculine singular)) - adjective
única(unique (feminine singular)) - adjective
únicamente(only / solely) - adverb

Frequently Asked Questions

Does 'únicos' always need the accent mark?

Yes! The accent mark on the 'ú' is essential. Without it, the stress would fall on the 'i', making it sound like 'u-NI-cos', which is incorrect. The accent ensures you say 'Ú-ni-cos'.

How is 'únicos' different from 'solamente'?

'Únicos' is an adjective that describes a thing or person ('the only books'). 'Solamente' is an adverb meaning 'only' or 'just' that describes an action or limits a quantity ('We only saw three books').