del todo
Lemma Details
Translation: completely; entirely; totally; altogether; fully
Part of Speech: adverbial phrase
Etymology: This adverbial phrase combines the preposition 'de' (of/from) with the definite article 'el' (the), which contract to form 'del', plus 'todo' (all/everything). Literally meaning 'of the all' or 'from the whole', it evolved to express completeness or totality. The word 'todo' comes from Latin 'totus' (all, entire), which is also the root of English words like 'total' and 'totality'.
Commonality: 80%
Guessability: 40%
Register: neutral
Example Usage
No estoy del todo convencido.
I'm not completely convinced.
La película me gustó del todo.
I liked the movie completely.
El problema ha sido resuelto del todo.
The problem has been completely resolved.
No entiendo del todo lo que quieres decir.
I don't fully understand what you mean.
La casa está del todo limpia.
The house is entirely clean.
Mnemonics
- Think of 'del todo' as 'of the total' to remember it means completely or entirely.
- Visualize a circle being completely filled in to represent something that is 'del todo' (completely) done.
- Associate 'todo' with the English 'total' to remember this phrase indicates completeness.
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Synonyms
Antonyms
Cultural Context
This phrase is widely used in everyday Spanish conversation and writing. It's a standard way to emphasize the completeness of an action or state and appears in both formal and informal contexts.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: While 'del todo' means 'completely/entirely', 'sobre todo' means 'especially' or 'above all'. They look similar but have different meanings and uses.
Confused word:
Me gustan muchas frutas, sobre todo las fresas.
I like many fruits, especially strawberries.
Notes: 'Del todo' refers to completeness or totality, while 'sobre todo' is used to highlight something as particularly important or notable among other things.
Mnemonic: Think of 'sobre todo' as 'above all else' (its literal meaning) and 'del todo' as 'of the whole' (completely).
Explanation: 'Del todo' (completely) includes the contracted article 'el', while 'de todo' (of everything, all kinds of) does not. They have different meanings despite looking very similar.
Notes: 'De todo' is often used in contexts involving variety or assortment, while 'del todo' emphasizes completeness or totality.
Mnemonic: Remember that 'del todo' has the 'el' contracted (d + el = del) and refers to completeness, while 'de todo' refers to variety.