a propósito
/a pɾoˈposito/
To say 'on purpose' in Spanish, you can use a propósito. Wiktionary also lists adrede and adredemente.
Meaning: purposely, with intention (prep_phrase)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| a propósito | /a pɾoˈposito/ |
| adrede | /aˈdɾede/ |
| adredemente | /aˌdɾedeˈmente/ |
| a conciencia | /a konˈθjenθja/ /a konˈsjensja/ |
| exprofeso | /eɡspɾofeso/ (from spelling rules) |
| aposta | /aˈposta/ |
Which one should you use?
While a propósito is a standard way to say 'on purpose', adrede is more emphatic and is often used when implying a deliberate attempt to provoke or annoy someone. In contrast, exprofeso is a more specialized term meaning 'specifically' or 'for a particular purpose', frequently used in legal or technical settings. Additionally, deliberadamente serves as a direct translation for 'deliberately' or 'intentionally'.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For a more formal tone, you can use deliberadamente to mean 'deliberately' or exprofeso when describing something done specifically for a certain purpose.
How do you pronounce it?
/a pɾoˈposito/
Did you know?
- While a propósito is the standard way to say 'on purpose', it can also be used as a conversational way to say 'by the way' when changing a subject.
- The word adrede is likely not from Latin, but instead comes from a combination of the Gothic words for 'at' and 'advice'.
- The term a conciencia is used to describe doing something 'on purpose' in the sense of doing it thoroughly, conscientiously, or to the best of one's ability.
Examples in context
- No lo hice aposta.I didn't do it on purpose.This sentence is useful for denying that an action involving aposta was intentional.Tatoeba #449778 by Shishir, translation #436507 by lukaszpp
- Me hizo daño adrede.He hurt me on purpose.This sentence shows how adrede is used to describe an intentional act of causing harm.Tatoeba #3793646 by Seael, translation #5743871 by Cainntear
- Lo hice a propósito.I did it on purpose.This sentence demonstrates the standard use of a propósito to express intention.Tatoeba #9703926 by stormy_clau, translation #2314842 by CK
- María rompió el cristal deliberadamente para culpar a su hermano.María broke the glass on purpose to blame her brother.
- El acusado cometió el acto a propósito, con plena conciencia de sus acciones.The defendant committed the act on purpose, with full awareness of his actions.
- 63 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucía and Alejandro are talking in the kitchen after a small accident.
- Lucía¿Has tirado la sal a propósito, Alejandro?Did you spill the salt on purpose, Alejandro?
- AlejandroNo, Lucía, no fue a propósito.No, Lucía, it wasn't on purpose.
- LucíaEs que parece que sí.It just looks like it was.
- AlejandroTe lo aseguro, fue un accidente.I assure you, it was an accident.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “on purpose” translations and entries a propósito, adrede, adredemente, a conciencia, aposta, 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 a, adrede, adredemente, conciencia, propósito, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
