How to Say "strongly" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “strongly” is “duro” — use 'duro' when 'strongly' refers to working with great effort or intensity, often in a physical or demanding context.
duro
DOO-rohˈdu.ɾo
Examples
Tenemos que trabajar duro para terminar a tiempo.
We have to work hard to finish on time.
Estudió muy duro para el examen.
He/She studied very hard for the exam.
El sol pega duro hoy.
The sun is hitting hard today.
Always Stays the Same
When 'duro' describes how an action is done (like in 'trabajar duro'), it's an adverb. This means it NEVER changes. It's always 'duro', never 'dura' or 'duros'.
Making it Match
Mistake: “Mi hermana trabaja dura.”
Correction: Say 'Mi hermana trabaja duro.' Because 'duro' here describes *how* she works, not her as a person, it doesn't change.
fuertemente
fwer-te-MEN-tefweɾteˈmente
Examples
Tienes que presionar el botón fuertemente.
You have to press the button hard.
Anoche sopló el viento fuertemente.
The wind blew strongly last night.
Esa noticia me afectó fuertemente.
That news affected me deeply.
Creating '-ly' words
In Spanish, adding '-mente' to the end of an adjective is just like adding '-ly' in English to describe how something is done.
The Accent Secret
Even though 'fuertemente' doesn't have a written accent mark, you pronounce it as if it has two 'stress' points: one on 'fuer' and the main one on 'men'.
Using it for people's traits
Mistake: “Él es fuertemente.”
Correction: Say 'Él es fuerte.' Use 'fuertemente' only to describe an action, not a person's character or appearance.
Duro vs. Fuertemente
Related Translations
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