Inklingo

How to Say "equally" in Spanish

English → Spanish

igual

/ee-GWAL//iˈɣwal/

adverbA2general
Use 'igual' when comparing two things or people that are the same in a particular quality or when distributing items evenly.
A cartoon hand cutting a round, colorful cake into two perfectly equal halves with a knife.

Examples

Mi hermano y yo tenemos igual número de libros.

My brother and I have an equal number of books.

Mi hermana es igual de alta que yo.

My sister is just as tall as me.

El profesor trata a todos los estudiantes por igual.

The teacher treats all the students equally.

Me da igual si vamos al cine o al parque.

I don't mind / It's all the same to me if we go to the movies or the park.

The Magic Formula: `igual de ... que`

To say 'just as [adjective] as', use this pattern: igual de + adjective + que. For example, Eres igual de inteligente que tu hermano. (You are just as smart as your brother).

Always Stays the Same

When 'igual' is used this way (as an adverb), it never changes. It's always 'igual', never 'iguala' or 'iguales', because it's describing the degree of an adjective, not a noun.

Forgetting 'de'

Mistake: “Mi coche es igual rápido que el tuyo.”

Correction: Remember to include `de` in your comparisons: `Mi coche es igual de rápido que el tuyo.` This little word is essential for the phrase to work.

igualmente

/ee-gwal-MEN-te//iˈɣwalˈmente/

adverbB1general
Use 'igualmente' to indicate that something applies in a similar or corresponding way, often connecting two parallel ideas or actions.
A perfectly horizontal seesaw with a single red apple resting on each seat, showing equal weight and balance.

Examples

Él es un gran estudiante; igualmente, su hermana es muy aplicada.

He is a great student; likewise, his sister is very diligent.

Ambos hermanos son talentosos; Juan canta bien, e igualmente, María toca el piano.

Both siblings are talented; Juan sings well, and similarly, Maria plays the piano.

La ley debe aplicarse igualmente a todos los ciudadanos.

The law must be applied equally to all citizens.

Los tres participantes contribuyeron igualmente al éxito del proyecto.

The three participants contributed equally to the project's success.

The '-mente' Ending

The '-mente' ending in Spanish is like the '-ly' ending in English. It turns the adjective 'igual' (equal/same) into the descriptive adverb 'igualmente' (equally/similarly).

Confusing 'igual' and 'igualmente'

Learners often confuse 'igual' and 'igualmente' by using 'igual' where 'igualmente' is needed for connecting parallel thoughts. Remember 'igual' often compares or states sameness, while 'igualmente' signals a parallel or corresponding situation.

Related Translations

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