Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| solo | /ˈsolo/ |
| único | /ˈuniko/ |
When you want to express that something is the one and only instance of a thing, you use único. While solo can be used to mean 'only' in certain contexts, it is more frequently used to mean 'alone' (without company). If you are looking for the noun 'sole' (the bottom of a shoe), use suela or the verb 'to sole' (to put a sole on a shoe), use solar.
Which one should you use?
Use único when you mean 'the one and only' or 'sole' in the sense of being the single instance of something. Use solo when you mean 'alone' or 'without company'.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The word único must agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies. It becomes única for feminine singular nouns, únicos for masculine plural nouns and únicas for feminine plural nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈsolo/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often use solo to mean 'only' (for example, saying 'solo hijo'), but in Spanish, único is the more natural choice when referring to being the single one of a kind.
Did you know?
- The Spanish word solo is a homonym with two entirely different origins. One comes from the Latin word for 'alone' and the other from the Latin word for 'ground' or 'soil'.
- While único translates to 'sole' or 'only', it is also the standard word for 'unique'. In English, being the only person in a room and being a unique person are different concepts, but único covers both.
Examples in context
- El único sobreviviente del choque fue una bebé.The sole survivor of the crash was a baby.This sentence shows how to use único to describe a single survivor.Tatoeba #1880201 by marcelostockle, translation #44999 by CM
- Siendo hijo único, fue el único heredero.Being an only child, he was the sole heir.This sentence shows how to use único to describe an only child and an only heir.Tatoeba #725327 by ventana, translation #408990 by CK
- el único sobrevivienteThe sole survivorThis phrase is useful for practicing the phrase 'the sole survivor' using único.
- Él es el único heredero.He is the sole heir.
- La empresa tiene un único objetivo.The company has a sole objective.
- Es el dueño exclusivo de la mansión.He is the sole owner of the mansion.
- Esa es la única película que quiero ver.That's the sole movie I want to watch.
- Soy el único que ha terminado el proyecto.I'm the sole one who has finished the project.
- Solo tengo una oportunidad.I have only one chance/sole chance.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Elena and Javier are discussing a project goal.
- ElenaMi solo objetivo es terminar esto hoy.My sole objective is to finish this today.
- JavierEso es muy ambicioso, Elena.That is very ambitious, Elena.
- ElenaLo sé, pero es mi solo deseo.I know, but it is my sole desire.
- JavierEstá bien, yo te ayudo, Javier dice.All right, I will help you, Javier says.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sole” translations and entries solo, único, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries solo, único, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR, Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
