inmediatamente
Lemma Details
Translation: immediately; at once; right away; instantly; promptly
Part of Speech: adverb
Etymology: Derived from the Spanish adjective 'inmediato' (immediate) plus the adverbial suffix '-mente'. The adjective 'inmediato' comes from Latin 'immediatus', formed from the prefix 'in-' (not) and 'mediatus' (mediated, with something in between). The English cognate 'immediately' shares the same Latin roots, making this a transparent cognate that follows the pattern of forming adverbs in Romance languages by adding '-mente' (equivalent to English '-ly').
Commonality: 90%
Guessability: 90%
Register: neutral
Example Usage
Necesito que vengas inmediatamente.
I need you to come immediately.
El médico atendió inmediatamente al paciente.
The doctor attended to the patient immediately.
Inmediatamente después de la ceremonia, habrá una recepción.
Immediately after the ceremony, there will be a reception.
Responderé a tu mensaje inmediatamente.
I will respond to your message right away.
Mnemonics
- Think 'in-media-ata-mente' - with no media (middle) in between, it happens directly in your mind (mente).
- Sounds like 'immediate-ly' with a Spanish twist at the end (-mente instead of -ly).
- Remember that Spanish adverbs often end in '-mente' just as English adverbs often end in '-ly'.
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Synonyms
Antonyms
Cultural Context
This adverb is widely used in both formal and informal contexts in Spanish-speaking countries. In business or professional settings, it often conveys urgency and efficiency. In everyday conversation, it's commonly used to emphasize promptness.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: While 'inmediatamente' means 'immediately' or 'directly', 'mediatamente' (though rarely used) means 'mediately' or 'indirectly'. The prefix 'in-' makes all the difference, changing the meaning to its opposite.
This word:
Actuó inmediatamente al recibir la noticia.
He acted immediately upon receiving the news.
Confused word:
El efecto se produce mediatamente a través de varios procesos.
The effect is produced mediately through various processes.
Notes: 'Mediatamente' is very rare in everyday Spanish, while 'inmediatamente' is extremely common.
Mnemonic: 'In-' means 'not' or 'without' - so 'inmediatamente' means 'without anything in the middle' (directly), while 'mediatamente' implies something in the middle (indirectly).
Explanation: A false friend for English speakers. While 'inmediatamente' means 'immediately', 'eventualmente' does NOT mean 'eventually' in English but rather 'possibly' or 'perhaps'. This is a classic false cognate.
Confused word:
Eventualmente podríamos ir al cine mañana.
We might possibly go to the movies tomorrow.
Notes: English speakers often misuse 'eventualmente' thinking it means 'eventually', when it actually means 'possibly'.
Mnemonic: Remember that 'eventualmente' relates to uncertain events, while 'inmediatamente' relates to immediate timing.