How do you say solo in Spanish?

Solo in Spanish is solo, used both as an adjective meaning alone (estoy solo) and as an adverb meaning only (solo quiero agua). The feminine form of the adjective is sola. A more formal alternative for only is solamente.

Do you still need an accent on sólo?

The RAE ruled in 2010 that the accent on sólo is no longer required, so modern Spanish writes solo for both the adjective and the adverb. Since 2010, the Real Academia Española recommends writing solo without an accent in all cases. The previous rule accented sólo when it meant only, but this is no longer the standard.

What is the difference between solo and solamente?

Both mean only. Solamente is slightly more formal or emphatic, while solo is more common in everyday speech. They are fully interchangeable: solo quiero café and solamente quiero café mean the same thing.

Spanish vocabulary · Beginner

How to Say Solo in Spanish: Alone, Only & Solamente

Written by Sofia Ramirez, Lead Spanish Curriculum Editor · Reviewed May 2026

Solo · adjective / adverb · SOH-loh

Solo in Spanish has two core meanings. As an adjective it means alone or by oneself and changes for gender: solo (masc.), sola (fem.). As an adverb it means only or just, functioning like solamente. Since 2010, the RAE recommends writing both without an accent.

Solo is two syllables with stress on the first: SOH-loh. The vowels are pure Spanish sounds, shorter and more open than the English word solo in music.

Prefiero viajar solo.

I prefer to travel alone.

Solo in Spanish: Quick Reference

Below are the most common Spanish words for solo, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.

Spanish	English	Pronunciation	Region / Register
solo	solo	SOH-loh	Default, widely understood
sola	solo		feminine form of the adjective alone
solamente	solo		formal synonym for only
a solas	solo		in private, by oneself

How Native Speakers Use Solo

Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.

Alone (adjective, masculine)

Después del divorcio, se quedó solo en la casa.

After the divorce, he was left alone in the house.

As an adjective, solo agrees in gender. Here solo describes a masculine subject.

Alone (adjective, feminine)

Ella vive sola desde que sus hijos se mudaron.

She has lived alone since her children moved out.

With a feminine subject, the adjective becomes sola.

Only (adverb)

Solo quiero un café, nada más.

I only want a coffee, nothing else.

As an adverb, solo means only and does not change form regardless of the subject.

In private (a solas)

Necesito hablar contigo a solas.

I need to talk to you in private.

A solas is a set phrase meaning alone or in private, often used when requesting a private conversation.

Avoid These Mistakes When Using Solo

Adding an accent on the adverb sólo

Incorrect: Sólo tengo cinco minutos.

Correct: Solo tengo cinco minutos.

The RAE's 2010 Ortografía recommends never accenting solo, even as an adverb. While some writers still use the accent out of habit, current standard practice omits it.

Forgetting gender agreement on the adjective

Incorrect: María está solo en casa.

Correct: María está sola en casa.

When solo means alone it is an adjective and must match the gender of the person: solo for masculine, sola for feminine.

Lock in Solo Vocabulary with the Parrot Method

Why word lists alone don't stick

Memorizing a translation feels productive, but most learners forget 70% of what they studied within 48 hours. Vocabulary needs spaced repetition AND real-world exposure to transfer to long-term memory.

See Solo used by native speakers

Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using solo in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear Prefiero viajar solo. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.

Save, review, repeat, stay consistent

Tap any word to save it. Parrot's spaced-repetition system surfaces it right before you'd forget, no manual flashcard creation. The watch, parrot back, save, review cycle turns recognition into fluency at 2.7x the speed of traditional study.

Common Questions About Solo in Spanish

How do you say solo in Spanish?: Solo in Spanish is solo, used both as an adjective meaning alone (estoy solo) and as an adverb meaning only (solo quiero agua). The feminine form of the adjective is sola. A more formal alternative for only is solamente.
Do you still need an accent on sólo?: The RAE ruled in 2010 that the accent on sólo is no longer required, so modern Spanish writes solo for both the adjective and the adverb. Since 2010, the Real Academia Española recommends writing solo without an accent in all cases. The previous rule accented sólo when it meant only, but this is no longer the standard.
What is the difference between solo and solamente?: Both mean only. Solamente is slightly more formal or emphatic, while solo is more common in everyday speech. They are fully interchangeable: solo quiero café and solamente quiero café mean the same thing.