Spanish Conversation · Level 95
60 words
Spanish word
literal
Pronunciation
IPA/liteˈɾal/
Meaning
- adjectiveliteral
Example
Su respuesta fue literal.
His answer was literal.
More examples
Esa expresión no debe entenderse de forma literal.
That expression should not be understood literally.
Core concept
Exact match between words and intended meaning.
Common phrases
traducción literal
literal translation
expresión literal
literal expression
Similar words
textual: Apply the precise wording of a written text, treating printed words verbatim.
figurado: Convey meaning by using comparisons, metaphors, or symbolic imagery.
concreto: Present concrete, real-world details and specific, observable instances.
Definition in Spanish
Que expresa exactamente lo que indican las palabras, sin uso figurado ni exageración.
Word origin
It comes from Latin litteralis "of letters" (from littera "letter"), originally meaning "according to the letter", and so denotes use that follows the words' exact sense.
Usage tips
- Spanish literal corresponds to English 'literal', but speakers often use literalmente colloquially to exaggerate, so context determines whether the meaning is strictly nonfigurative.
Other meanings
- verbatimadjective
- word-for-wordadjective
Opposites
- metafóricometaphoricaladjective
Related words
- literalmenteliterallyadverb