Inklingo

How to Say "sufficiently" in Spanish

English → Spanish

suficiente

/soo-fee-SYEN-teh//su.fiˈsjen.te/

adverb/pronounB1formal
Use 'suficiente' when 'enough' is used as a standalone response or to indicate that something is adequate in quantity or degree without modifying another adjective directly.
A cartoon character holding a pitcher, pouring bright blue liquid into a clear glass until the liquid reaches the absolute top rim, indicating a stopping point.

Examples

—¿Necesitas más ayuda? —No, gracias, es suficiente.

—Do you need more help? —No, thank you, it's enough.

—¿Quieres más pastel? —No, gracias, es suficiente.

—Do you want more cake? —No, thanks, that's enough.

El apartamento es bueno, pero no es lo suficientemente grande para nuestra familia.

The apartment is good, but it's not big enough for our family.

¡Silencio! Ya es suficiente.

Quiet! That's enough now.

The 'lo suficientemente' Pattern

To say something is '[adjective] enough' (like 'strong enough'), Spanish uses a special pattern: lo suficientemente + [adjective]. For example: Él es lo suficientemente fuerte.

Wrong Word Order

Mistake: “Mi café no está caliente suficiente.”

Correction: Mi café no está lo suficientemente caliente. (Remember to use the `lo suficientemente` structure before the descriptive word.)

suficientemente

/soo-fee-syen-teh-men-tay//su.fiˌθjen.teˈmen.te/

adverbB1
Use 'suficientemente' to modify an adjective or another adverb, indicating 'to an adequate degree' or 'sufficiently' before that descriptor.
A rustic wooden crate that is perfectly filled to the brim with bright red apples, illustrating an adequate and sufficient amount without spilling.

Examples

El café no está suficientemente caliente para mi gusto.

The coffee is not sufficiently hot for my taste.

No está **suficientemente** caliente, necesito calentarlo más.

It is not **sufficiently** hot; I need to heat it more.

Ella habló **suficientemente** alto para que todos la oyeran.

She spoke **loudly enough** so that everyone could hear her.

¿Está **suficientemente** claro lo que tenemos que hacer?

Is it **clear enough** what we have to do?

Adverbs and Degree

As an adverb, suficientemente is used to describe or modify the meaning of an adjective (like 'caliente') or another adverb (like 'rápido').

Invariable Form

This word always stays the same. It does not change based on whether the subject is masculine or feminine, singular or plural.

Adverb vs. Adjective

Mistake: “Using *suficientemente* when describing a noun: *Tengo suficientamente dinero.*”

Correction: Use the adjective *suficiente* when describing a noun: *Tengo **suficiente** dinero.* The adverb *suficientemente* only describes actions or qualities.

Modifying vs. Standing Alone

The most common mistake is using 'suficiente' when you need to modify an adjective (like 'hot' or 'fast'). Remember, 'suficientemente' comes before the adjective it describes, while 'suficiente' often stands alone or comes after the noun.

Related Translations

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