literalmente
/liteˈɾalˌmente/
The English word "literally" can be translated into Spanish as literalmente. Wiktionary also lists textualmente and literal.
Meaning: in a literal manner (adv)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| literalmente | /liteˈɾalˌmente/ | |
| textualmente | /teɡstwalmente/ (from spelling rules) | |
| literal | /liteˈɾal/ | Latin America, informal |
The term is used to describe something happening in a literal manner.
Which one should you use?
While literalmente is a direct translation, textualmente is often used when referring to something being said or written exactly as it appears in a text (literally word for word).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
literal is an informal form.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In many Latin American dialects, the adjective literal is used colloquially as an adverb to mean "literally", similar to how English speakers use "literal" as an intensifier.
How do you pronounce it?
/liteˈɾalˌmente/
Did you know?
- Depending on the region, using literal as an adverb can be seen as a marker of 'Gen Z' speech, often causing a generational gap in how the word is perceived.
- The root of literalmente traces back to the Latin littera, which refers to a 'letter' of the alphabet.
- In Spanish, the use of literal as an intensifier often replaces the phrase de verdad, which means 'for real'.
Examples in context
- Él se lo tomó en un sentido literal.He took it literally.This sentence shows how to use the form literal.Tatoeba #1238581 by wallebot, translation #354503 by plover
- No lo tome literalmente. Él tiende a exagerar.Don't take it literally. He is inclined to exaggerate.This sentence shows how to use the form literalmente.Tatoeba #1080231 by hayastan, translation #41568 by Swift
- La ciudad, literalmente, le debe su existencia a Mussolini.The city literally owes its existence to Mussolini.Tatoeba #9820680 by hayastan, translation #3469373 by tabidots
- Esperé literalmente horas en la fila.I waited literally for hours in line.
- Literalmente no puedo creer lo que acabo de escuchar.I literally cannot believe what I just heard.
- Necesito que sigas las instrucciones al pie de la letra.I need you to follow the instructions literally.
- Copió los datos del informe al pie de la letra.He copied the data from the report literally.
- Estoy muriendo de verdad de calor.I'm literally dying of heat.
- 15 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Daniel and Lucía are talking about a very crowded bus.
- DanielEl autobús estaba literalmente lleno.The bus was literally full.
- LucíaNo podía entrar nadie más.Nobody else could get in.
- DanielSí, literalmente no había espacio.Yes, there literally was no space.
- LucíaQué mala suerte tuviste, Daniel.What bad luck you had, Daniel.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “literally” translations and entries literalmente, textualmente, literal, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries literal, literalmente, textualmente, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
