igualmente
/iˌɡwalˈmente/
The English phrase "right back at you" can be translated into Spanish as igualmente.
igualmente is a response used to return a greeting or a compliment to the person who gave it.
What does it mean word for word?
The word igualmente literally means "equally" or "likewise".
Which one should you use?
While igualmente is polite and widely used, it is more formal than the English slang "right back at you", which is often used more playfully or informally. Another option is the colloquial phrase lo mismo digo!, which translates to "I say the same!"
How do you pronounce it?
/iˌɡwalˈmente/
Did you know?
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, igualmente can be used ironically to return an insult. If someone tells you estás loco ('you are crazy'), responding with igualmente turns the insult back on the speaker.
- The suffix '-mente' in igualmente is a direct descendant of the Latin 'mēns', which originally referred to the 'mind' or 'intellect'.
- In some regions, igualmente is the go-to response for a toast, serving as a way to reciprocate the well-wishes of the person raising their glass.
Examples in context
- ¡Gracias! Igualmente.Thank you! Right back at you.
- ¡Igualmente!Right back at you!
- Que tengas un buen día, igualmente.Have a good day, likewise.
- Muchas gracias, igualmente para ti.Thank you very much, the same to you.
Example conversation
Alejandro and Lucía meet in the hallway of their office.
- Alejandro¡Hola Lucía, qué gusto verte!Hi Lucía, it's good to see you!
- Lucía¡Igualmente, Alejandro!Right back at you, Alejandro!
- AlejandroQue te vaya muy bien hoy.I hope everything goes well for you today.
- LucíaGracias, igualmente.Thanks, same to you.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry igualmente, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries igualmente, CC BY-SA 4.0.
