adverb

realmente

really

Se usa para decir que algo es verdad o para dar más fuerza a lo que se dice.

Definition & meaning

The word realmente is an adverb used to describe how something is done or to emphasize the truthfulness of a statement. It generally has two main functions:

In reality / Actually: Used to refer to the factual state of affairs, contrasting what might be perceived with what is true (e.g., "Realmente no sabía qué hacer" – "In reality, I didn't know what to do").
Really / Truly: Used as an intensifier to express the sincerity of a feeling or the high degree of a quality (e.g., "Es realmente hermoso" – "It is really beautiful").

Grammar & Word origin

Grammatically, realmente is an adverb of manner. It is formed by taking the feminine adjective real and adding the suffix -mente, which is the standard way to create adverbs in Spanish (equivalent to the English suffix "-ly").

The word originates from the Latin realis, derived from res, which means "thing" or "matter."