Ways to say it
| Italian | IPA |
|---|---|
| solo | /ˈso.lo/ |
| soltanto | /solˈtan.to/ |
| solamente | /so.laˈmen.te/ |
The primary meaning is 'without others or anything further' or 'exclusively'. While solo is the standard adverb, you may also encounter soltanto to emphasize a small amount or limitation or unicamente to express the meaning of 'solely'. For an idiomatic way to say 'only', you can use the phrase niente altro che, which literally means 'nothing but'.
Which one should you use?
Soltanto is often used to mean 'just' or to emphasize a limitation. Solamente is a more formal or literary version of the adverb.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Southern Italy, specifically in Naples or Sicily, the variation sulo is used instead of solo to mean 'only'.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When used as an adverb meaning 'only', solo does not change. Additionally, when expressing 'just' or 'barely', the word appena is often used.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has two syllables and the stress is on the first syllable: /ˈso.lo/.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Be careful not to confuse the adverbial use of solo (meaning 'only') with its adjectival use (meaning 'alone'). As an adverb, solo does not change its form to match gender or number.
Did you know?
- Although it sounds like a modern adverb, solamente actually traces its roots back to the Early Medieval Latin phrase sōlā mente, which literally meant 'with a single mind'.
- The word solo is a cognate of the English 'solo', which refers to a performance by a single person.
Examples in context
- Solo Dio lo sa.Only God knows.This sentence uses solo to express that only God possesses this knowledge.Tatoeba #2520299 by Guybrush88, translation #269633 by Eldad
- Solo Tom lo sa.Only Tom knows.This sentence uses solo to specify that Tom is the only person who knows.Tatoeba #5313151 by Guybrush88, translation #2235870 by CK
- È solo un gioco.It's only a game.This sentence uses solo to clarify that the situation is merely a game.Tatoeba #1148181 by Guybrush88, translation #1112294 by Scott
- Ho solo bisogno di un attimo.I only need a moment.
- Accetto solo pagamenti in contanti.I accept cash only.
- Sono qui solo per lavoro.I'm here only for work.
- È consentito solamente un bagaglio a mano.Only one carry-on baggage is allowed.
- Ha ragione solamente in parte.He is only partially right.
- Le previsioni dicono che dovremmo aspettare solamente un'altra ora.The forecasts say we should wait only another hour.
- Ho bisogno soltanto di cinque minuti.I only need five minutes.
- Hanno mangiato soltanto pizza ieri sera.They only ate pizza last night.
- 3267 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Giulia and Francesco are deciding what to eat for dinner.
- GiuliaCosa vuoi mangiare stasera?What do you want to eat tonight?
- FrancescoHo voglia di solo un panino.I feel like having only a sandwich.
- GiuliaNon vuoi anche un'insalata?Don't you also want a salad?
- FrancescoNo, per me basta solo il panino.No, for me just the sandwich is enough.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “only” translations and entries solo, soltanto, solamente, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries solamente, solo, soltanto, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
