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How to Say "correctly" in Spanish

English → Spanish

bien

byenˈbjen

adverbA1general
Use 'bien' when referring to something being done well or in a satisfactory manner, often indicating a general sense of 'right' or 'good'.
A person giving a thumbs-up to show that something is done well.

Examples

Ella canta muy bien.

She sings very well.

No me siento bien hoy.

I don't feel well today.

El examen me salió bien.

The exam went well for me.

Adverb vs. Adjective: `bien` vs. `bueno`

Bien usually describes how you do something (an action), while bueno describes what something is like (a person or thing). Think: 'sing well' (cantar bien) vs. 'a good song' (una buena canción).

Using `bueno` instead of `bien` for Health

Mistake: “Estoy bueno.”

Correction: Estoy bien. (I am well.)

correctamente

koh-rek-tah-MEN-tehkorekˈtamente

adverbA2general
Use 'correctamente' when you specifically mean following instructions, procedures, or rules precisely as they should be done.
A simple wooden toy block with a square hole, and a matching square wooden peg that is perfectly inserted into the hole, demonstrating a task completed correctly.

Examples

Si sigues las instrucciones correctamente, el plato saldrá delicioso.

If you follow the instructions correctly, the dish will turn out delicious.

Ella no contestó correctamente a la pregunta del profesor.

She did not answer the teacher's question correctly.

Por favor, asegúrate de que el documento esté firmado correctamente antes de enviarlo.

Please, make sure the document is signed properly before sending it.

The '-mente' Adverb Rule

Most Spanish adverbs that end in '-ly' (like 'correctly') are formed by taking the feminine version of the adjective ('correcta') and adding '-mente'.

Using the Adjective instead of the Adverb

Mistake: “El coche funciona correcto.”

Correction: El coche funciona correctamente. (Remember, use the adverb to describe *how* the action of working is done.)

debidamente

deh-bee-dah-men-tehdeβiðaˈmente

adverbB2formal
Use 'debidamente' for a more formal or official correctness, often implying that something has been done in the proper or required way according to regulations or standards.
A child carefully placing a toy block perfectly into its matching slot in a shape sorter.

Examples

Los documentos deben estar debidamente firmados.

The documents must be properly signed.

El personal está debidamente capacitado para esta tarea.

The staff is duly trained for this task.

Asegúrese de que el equipo esté debidamente instalado antes de usarlo.

Make sure the equipment is correctly installed before using it.

Adverbs ending in -mente

Just like '-ly' in English, Spanish adverbs ending in '-mente' describe HOW an action is done and never change their form, regardless of whether you are talking about a man, a woman, or a group.

Positioning 'debidamente'

This word usually comes after the verb it describes, or between a helper verb (like 'está') and a description (like 'firmado').

Confusing 'debido' and 'debidamente'

Mistake: “El contrato está debido firmado.”

Correction: El contrato está debidamente firmado. Use the adverb ending in '-mente' when you are describing the action of signing, not the contract itself.

Bien vs. Correctamente

Learners often confuse 'bien' and 'correctamente'. While 'bien' can mean 'correctly' in a general sense (like 'well'), 'correctamente' is more specific to following rules or instructions precisely. Use 'bien' for general quality and 'correctamente' for procedural accuracy.

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