What is the difference between "solo", "solitario", "aislado" in Spanish?

The English word 'lonely' can be translated into Spanish in several ways, depending on the nuance you want to convey. While some terms overlap, understanding the subtle differences will help you express yourself more precisely.

How to Say "lonely" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “lonely” is “solo” — use 'solo' when you mean 'alone' and feel sad about it, or simply to state that someone is by themselves..

solo🔊A1

Use 'solo' when you mean 'alone' and feel sad about it, or simply to state that someone is by themselves.

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solitario🔊A2

Choose 'solitario' to describe someone or something that prefers to be alone or is characterized by being alone, often implying a personality trait.

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aislado🔊B1

Use 'aislado' when the feeling of loneliness stems from being physically cut off or separated from others, like in a remote location or due to circumstances.

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English → Spanish

solo

/SO-lo//ˈso.lo/

adjectiveA1general

Use 'solo' when you mean 'alone' and feel sad about it, or simply to state that someone is by themselves.

A single person sitting by themselves on a bench, representing the state of being alone.

Examples

Me siento muy solo cuando mi familia no está aquí.

I feel very lonely when my family isn't here.

Mi hermano vive solo en un apartamento pequeño.

My brother lives alone in a small apartment.

A veces me siento un poco sola por las noches.

Sometimes I feel a little lonely at night.

Quiero un café solo, sin leche ni azúcar.

I want a single coffee (a black coffee), without milk or sugar.

A Word with Four Forms

This 'solo' is a describing word, so it must match the person or thing it's describing. It can change to 'sola' (for feminine things), 'solos' (for plural masculine things), or 'solas' (for plural feminine things).

Forgetting to Match

Mistake: “La mujer está solo.”

Correction: La mujer está sola. Because 'mujer' is feminine, the describing word needs to end in '-a'.

See full entry for “solo” →

solitario

/so-li-TA-rio//soliˈtaɾjo/

adjectiveA2general

Choose 'solitario' to describe someone or something that prefers to be alone or is characterized by being alone, often implying a personality trait.

A lone person sitting on a hillside, reading a book, surrounded by green grass and blue sky, illustrating a preference for being alone.

Examples

Es un perro solitario que prefiere jugar solo.

He's a solitary dog who prefers to play alone.

Mi gato es muy solitario y no le gustan otros animales.

My cat is very solitary and doesn't like other animals.

Después de que se fueron todos, se sintió muy solitario.

After everyone left, he felt very lonely.

Viven en una casa solitaria en la cima de la montaña.

They live in a secluded house on the top of the mountain.

Adjective Agreement

Like many Spanish descriptions, 'solitario' must change its ending to match the thing it describes. Use 'solitaria' for feminine things (like 'la casa solitaria') and 'solitarios' or 'solitarias' for plurals.

See full entry for “solitario” →

aislado

eye-SLAH-doh/ai̯sˈlaðo/

adjectiveB1general

Use 'aislado' when the feeling of loneliness stems from being physically cut off or separated from others, like in a remote location or due to circumstances.

A single small island with one palm tree in the middle of a vast blue ocean.

Examples

El pueblo está aislado por la nieve y no hay forma de salir.

The town is isolated by the snow and there's no way to leave.

El pueblo quedó aislado después de la gran nevada.

The town was isolated after the heavy snowfall.

Me siento un poco aislado en mi nuevo trabajo.

I feel a bit isolated at my new job.

Matching Gender

Remember that this word ends in '-o' because it describes a masculine person or thing. If you describe a woman or a feminine thing (like 'una casa'), change it to 'aislada'.

Using with 'Estar'

We usually use this word with the verb 'estar' (to be) because being isolated is often seen as a temporary state or condition.

Isolated vs. Only

Mistake: “Using 'solo' when you mean 'aislado'.”

Correction: Use 'solo' to mean someone is alone by choice or circumstance, but use 'aislado' when someone is physically cut off or separated from everything else.

See full entry for “aislado” →

Solo vs. Solitario

Learners often confuse 'solo' and 'solitario'. Remember that 'solo' is more about the state of being alone and the sadness that can come with it, while 'solitario' often describes a preference or inherent characteristic of being alone.

Related Translations

alone→hermit→isolated→just→lone→one-off→only→recluse→

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