Which one should you use?
The word solo has two different behaviors depending on how it is used. When it functions as an adjective meaning 'by oneself' or 'without company', it must change to match the person being described. However, when it is used as an adverb meaning 'without help' or 'by oneself', it remains invariable regardless of the subject's gender or number.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
As an adjective, solo must agree in gender and number with the person it describes. This means you should use the forms sola for a woman, solos for a group of men or a mixed group and solas for a group of women.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈsolo/
What mistakes should you avoid?
When referring to a woman, remember to change the ending to match her gender. Avoid saying Ella está solo. Instead, use Ella está sola.
When do people say it?
Depending on the nuance you want to convey, you can use different phrases. Use Sin compañía when you want to emphasize the literal absence of other people. For a more poetic or literary tone that conveys the idea of being in solitude, use En soledad.
Did you know?
- If you say Estoy solo, you might be saying 'I am alone' or 'I am only', depending on the context. This ambiguity is why the accent mark was historically used to clarify the meaning.
- While solo means 'alone', using the phrase a solas changes the nuance to a more private or intimate sense of being 'on one's own' with someone else.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, saying estoy solo can sound much more heavy or tragic than the English 'I am alone', often implying a deep, long-term loneliness rather than just a temporary lack of company.
Examples in context
- Tom no irá solo.Tom won't go alone.Tatoeba #2201441 by Shishir, translation #1023887 by CK
- No lo hice solo.I didn't do it alone.Tatoeba #5278247 by Shishir, translation #2208390 by CK
- No puedo ir solo.I can't go alone.Tatoeba #2225183 by Shishir, translation #1951699 by CK
- Durante mi viaje de negocios, me quedé solo/a en el hotel.During my business trip, I stayed alone in the hotel.
- Prefiero viajar sin compañía para disfrutar de la tranquilidad.I prefer to travel without company to enjoy some tranquility.
- Caminaba por la playa en soledad, disfrutando del sonido del mar.I walked along the beach in solitude, enjoying the sound of the sea.
- Mi hijo se quedó solito en casa mientras fui a hacer unas compras.My son stayed alone at home while I went shopping.
- Después de la discusión, se fue a su habitación y se quedó solo/a.After the argument, he/she went to his/her room and stayed alone.
- A veces, me siento sola incluso rodeada de gente.Sometimes, I feel alone even when surrounded by people.
- Me gusta quedarme a solas con mis pensamientos y reflexionar.I enjoy being alone with my thoughts and reflecting.
- 516 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Javier and Sofía are talking about a trip to the cinema.
- Javier¿Vas al cine solo, Javier?Are you going to the cinema alone, Javier?
- SofíaNo, voy con mi hermano.No, I am going with my brother.
- JavierQué bien, yo siempre voy solo.That's great, I always go alone.
- SofíaPuedes venir con nosotros hoy.You can come with us today.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “alone” translations and entries solo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
