How to Say "completely" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “completely” is “completamente” — use this common adverb when something is finished, full, or has reached its maximum extent, often describing a state or condition.
completamente
kom-pleh-tah-men-tehkomˌple.taˈmen.te
Examples
El vaso está completamente vacío.
The glass is completely empty.
Estoy completamente seguro de mi respuesta.
I am completely sure of my answer.
Olvidé completamente su cumpleaños.
I completely forgot his birthday.
What is an Adverb?
Words like 'completamente' are adverbs. They describe how an action is done or add intensity to another word. Think of them as adding detail, like saying 'run quickly' instead of just 'run'.
The '-mente' Trick
In Spanish, you can often turn an adjective (a describing word) into an adverb by adding '-mente' to the end of its feminine form. 'Completa' (complete) becomes 'completamente' (completely). It's just like adding '-ly' in English!
Placement Matters
Mistake: “Using 'completo' instead of 'completamente'. For example, 'Estoy completo seguro.'”
Correction: The correct way is 'Estoy completamente seguro.' You need the '-mente' ending to describe *how* you feel (completely sure), not just to describe a thing.
totalmente
toh-tahl-men-tehtoˌtalˈmente
Examples
La habitación estaba totalmente a oscuras.
The room was completely dark.
Olvidé totalmente que hoy era tu cumpleaños.
I totally forgot that today was your birthday.
El proyecto está totalmente terminado.
The project is fully finished.
What is an Adverb?
An adverb is a word that describes an action (verb) or adds more detail to a descriptive word (adjective). 'Totalmente' tells you 'how much' or 'to what extent' something is done or is.
Making '-mente' Adverbs
In Spanish, you can turn many descriptive words into adverbs by adding '-mente'. Just take the feminine form of the word and add '-mente'. For example, 'total' (which is the same for masculine and feminine) becomes 'totalmente'.
Word Order
Mistake: “Estoy de acuerdo totalmente.”
Correction: Estoy totalmente de acuerdo. While the first version isn't strictly wrong, it's much more natural to place 'totalmente' right before the word it's describing ('de acuerdo').
absolutamente
ab-soh-loo-tah-men-tayaβsoluˈtamente
Examples
La respuesta es absolutamente correcta.
The answer is absolutely correct.
Estábamos absolutamente seguros de que ganaría el partido.
We were completely sure that he would win the game.
El trabajo está absolutamente terminado. Podemos irnos.
The work is utterly finished. We can leave.
Adverb Placement
Like most adverbs ending in -mente, 'absolutamente' usually goes before the adjective or after the verb it is modifying.
enteramente
en-te-rah-MEN-tehenteɾaˈmente
Examples
Estoy enteramente de acuerdo con tu propuesta.
I am entirely in agreement with your proposal.
El éxito de la fiesta depende enteramente de la música.
The success of the party depends entirely on the music.
La casa fue construida enteramente de madera.
The house was built entirely of wood.
How it's built
In Spanish, you can turn many adjectives into 'how-to' words by taking the feminine form (the version that ends in -a) and adding '-mente' to the end.
Placement in a sentence
You usually place this word right before the adjective it describes (like 'enteramente nuevo') or after a verb to describe how an action is done.
Using the 'O' version
Mistake: “entero-mente”
Correction: enteramente. Even though the word for 'whole' is 'entero', you must use the feminine 'a' version when adding the '-mente' ending.
Confusing with 'entero'
Mistake: “La casa es enteramente.”
Correction: La casa está entera. Use 'entera' (adjective) to describe the object itself, and 'enteramente' (adverb) only to modify a verb or another adjective.
radicalmente
rah-dee-kahl-MEN-tehra.ði.kalˈmen.te
Examples
Mi ciudad ha cambiado radicalmente en los últimos diez años.
My city has changed radically in the last ten years.
Tengo una opinión radicalmente distinta sobre ese tema.
I have a completely different opinion on that topic.
Debemos reducir los gastos radicalmente para salvar la empresa.
We must drastically reduce expenses to save the company.
The '-mente' Ending
This word is built by taking the feminine form of the adjective 'radical' and adding '-mente'. In Spanish, this is how we turn 'how' words into descriptions of actions, similar to adding '-ly' in English.
Where to Put It
You usually place this word right after the action (verb) it describes, like 'cambió radicalmente', or right before an adjective it modifies, like 'radicalmente diferente'.
It's Not Always Political
Mistake: “Thinking 'radicalmente' only refers to extreme political views.”
Correction: Use it anytime you mean 'completely' or 'from the root.' It describes the size of a change, not just a type of belief.
todo
TOH-dohˈto.ðo
Examples
El niño volvió del parque todo sucio.
The boy came back from the park all dirty.
Después de correr, estaba toda sudada.
After running, she was all sweaty.
Se pusieron todos nerviosos antes del examen.
They all got very nervous before the exam.
An Adverb that Changes?
This is a special case. Even though it's used like 'completely' or 'very', it still changes to todo, toda, todos, or todas to match the person or thing it's describing.
plenamente
ple-nah-MEN-tehplenaˈmente
Examples
Estoy plenamente de acuerdo con tu decisión.
I fully agree with your decision.
Él es plenamente consciente de lo que pasó.
He is fully aware of what happened.
Queremos que los jóvenes se desarrollen plenamente.
We want young people to develop to their full potential.
The '-mente' Ending
This word is formed by taking the feminine form of the adjective 'plena' (full) and adding '-mente.' It works just like adding '-ly' to 'full' in English.
Placement for Emphasis
You usually place 'plenamente' right after the verb it describes, or right before an adjective to make the meaning stronger.
Using 'lleno' for 'fully'
Mistake: “Estoy lleno de acuerdo.”
Correction: Estoy plenamente de acuerdo.
Completamente vs. Totalmente
Related Translations
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