Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
How to Say "Unique" in Spanish
Único · adjective · OO-nee-koh
Único is the Spanish adjective meaning "unique" or "one of a kind." It also doubles as the word for "only" or "sole." Context determines which meaning applies: "una experiencia única" means "a unique experience," while "el único problema" means "the only problem." Único agrees in gender and number with the noun it modifies.
OO-nee-koh (masculine); OO-nee-kah (feminine)
Cada persona es única; no intentes ser alguien más.
Every person is unique; don't try to be someone else.
Unique in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for unique, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| único | unique | OO-nee-koh | Default, widely understood |
| singular | unique | formal — extraordinary, remarkable | |
| irrepetible | unique | literary — unrepeatable, one of a kind |
How Native Speakers Use Único
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Describing something special
Este cuadro es una pieza única en el mundo.
This painting is a one-of-a-kind piece in the world.
Única here emphasizes rarity and uniqueness.
Meaning 'only'
Soy hijo único; no tengo hermanos.
I'm an only child; I don't have siblings.
Hijo único uses the "only" meaning of único rather than "unique."
Expressing admiration
La vista desde la montaña fue única.
The view from the mountain was unique.
When placed after the noun, único leans toward the meaning of extraordinary or unmatched.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Único
Forgetting the accent mark
Incorrect: Es una oportunidad unica.
Correct: Es una oportunidad única.
Único is an esdrújula word (stressed on the third-to-last syllable), so it always requires a written accent: ú-ni-co.
Using único when meaning 'united'
Incorrect: Debemos estar únicos en esta causa.
Correct: Debemos estar unidos en esta causa.
Único means unique or only, not united. The correct word for united is unidos.
Lock in Unique Vocabulary with the Parrot Method
Why word lists alone don't stick
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See Único used by native speakers
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Common Questions About Unique in Spanish
- Does único mean 'unique' or 'only'?
- It means both. Context decides: "el único sobreviviente" = the only survivor; "un estilo único" = a unique style. In many sentences, both senses blend together.
- How do you say 'only child' in Spanish?
- Hijo único (for a boy) or hija única (for a girl). The phrase literally translates as "only son" or "only daughter."
- Is there a stronger word for unique in Spanish?
- You can use irrepetible (unrepeatable), incomparable (incomparable), or sin igual (without equal) to emphasize uniqueness beyond what único conveys.