textualmente
Lemma Details
Translation: literally; verbatim; word for word; textually
Part of Speech: adverb
Etymology: Derived from the Spanish adjective 'textual' (meaning 'textual' or 'literal') plus the adverbial suffix '-mente' (equivalent to English '-ly'). The root comes from Latin 'textualis', which relates to 'textus' (text, tissue, fabric), from the verb 'texere' meaning 'to weave'. The connection between weaving and text reflects how words are woven together to create meaning, just as threads are woven to create fabric.
Commonality: 60%
Guessability: 80%
Register: neutral
Example Usage
El testigo repitió textualmente lo que había escuchado.
The witness repeated verbatim what they had heard.
Según el informe, el presidente dijo textualmente: 'No habrá nuevos impuestos'.
According to the report, the president said literally: 'There will be no new taxes'.
No es necesario copiar textualmente todo el párrafo.
It's not necessary to copy the entire paragraph word for word.
Mnemonics
- Think of 'text' + 'ual' + 'mente' ('mind' in Spanish) = 'with the mind of the text' or exactly as the text says.
- Relate it to 'textile' in English - just as a textile is woven precisely, 'textualmente' means to reproduce words with precise fidelity.
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Synonyms
Antonyms
Cultural Context
Used in academic, journalistic, and legal contexts when precision in quoting or referencing is important. In Spanish media and academic writing, 'textualmente' often introduces direct quotes to emphasize that the words are being reproduced exactly as they were spoken or written.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: While 'textualmente' refers to the exact words or text, 'contextualmente' refers to something in relation to its context or surroundings.
Confused word:
Hay que entender esta frase contextualmente.
This phrase needs to be understood in context.
Notes: Both are adverbs formed with the suffix '-mente' but refer to different aspects of communication and understanding.
Mnemonic: 'Textualmente' focuses on the 'text' itself, while 'contextualmente' considers the 'context' around it.
Explanation: 'Textualmente' refers to exact wording, while 'virtualmente' means 'virtually' or 'practically'.
This word:
Repitió textualmente cada palabra del discurso.
He repeated every word of the speech verbatim.
Notes: Both adverbs end in '-mente' but have completely different meanings and applications.
Mnemonic: 'Textualmente' deals with actual text; 'virtualmente' deals with something that is almost but not quite actual.