Inklingo

How to Say "strictly" in Spanish

English → Spanish

estrictamente

/es-treek-tah-MEN-teh//estɾiktaˈmente/

adverbB1general
Use 'estrictamente' when you mean 'following rules, orders, or a definition precisely and without deviation'. This implies adherence to a set of guidelines or a rigid standard.
A child placing their shoes perfectly straight and aligned with a line on the floor.

Examples

Los participantes deben seguir las instrucciones estrictamente.

Participants must follow the instructions strictly.

Los alumnos deben seguir las reglas estrictamente.

Students must follow the rules strictly.

El horario se cumple estrictamente en esta oficina.

The schedule is strictly followed in this office.

The '-mente' Ending

This word is formed by taking the adjective 'estricta' and adding '-mente'. It works just like adding '-ly' to an English word to describe how an action is done.

One Form for Everyone

Unlike adjectives, this word never changes. It stays the same whether you are talking about one person, many people, men, or women.

Don't change the ending

Mistake: “estrictamenta”

Correction: Always use 'estrictamente'. Even though it comes from the feminine 'estricta', the final 'e' in 'mente' never changes to 'a'.

puramente

/poo-rah-MEN-teh//puɾaˈmente/

adverbB1general
Use 'puramente' when you mean 'entirely', 'solely', or 'completely', often to emphasize that something is nothing more than what is stated, without any other factors involved. It's about the essence or nature of something.
A single, bright red apple sitting alone in a plain white bowl, symbolizing something that is purely and exclusively one thing.

Examples

Su éxito fue puramente el resultado de su arduo trabajo.

His success was purely the result of his hard work.

Esto es puramente una coincidencia.

This is purely a coincidence.

Lo hizo puramente por curiosidad.

He did it simply out of curiosity.

Es un trámite puramente administrativo.

It is a strictly administrative procedure.

Creating adverbs with -mente

To make this word, we take the feminine version of 'puro' (which is 'pura') and add '-mente' to the end. It's just like adding '-ly' in English!

Where to put it

You usually place this word right before the adjective it describes (like 'puramente técnico') or after the action it describes.

Using the wrong ending

Mistake: “puromente”

Correction: puramente. When adding '-mente', always use the 'a' ending of the base word if it has one.

Rule-Following vs. Entirely

Learners often confuse 'estrictamente' and 'puramente' by using 'puramente' when they mean strict adherence to rules. Remember, 'estrictamente' is for following rules precisely, while 'puramente' means 'completely' or 'solely'.

Related Translations

Learn Spanish with Inklingo

Interactive stories, personalized learning, and more.