literally background

literally

/ˈlɪtəɹəli/ /ˈlɪ.ɾɚ.ə.li/

Illustration literally - Image 1

Illustration literally - Image 2

adverb

Literalmente, al pie de la letra

Word for word; not figuratively; not as an idiom or metaphor

Examples :

"When I saw on the news that there would be no school tomorrow because of the snowstorm, I literally jumped for joy, and hit my head on the ceiling fan."

Cuando vi en las noticias que no habría escuela mañana debido a la tormenta de nieve, literalmente salté de alegría y me golpeé la cabeza con el ventilador de techo.

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Illustration literally - Image 1

adverb

Literalmente, por así decirlo

(degree, contranym) Used non-literally as an intensifier for figurative statements: virtually, so to speak (often considered incorrect; see usage notes)

Examples :

"He was so surprised, he literally jumped twenty feet in the air."

Estaba tan sorprendido que literalmente saltó seis metros en el aire.

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Illustration literally - Image 1

adverb

Literalmente

Used to intensify or dramatise non-figurative statements; tending towards a meaningless filler word in repeated use.

Examples :

"I had no idea, so I was literally guessing."

No tenía ni idea, así que estaba literalmente adivinando.

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Illustration literally - Image 1

adverb

Simplemente, solo

Used as a generic downtoner: just, merely.

Examples :

"My brother was literally just watching TV, not doing anything else. "

Mi hermano simplemente estaba viendo la televisión, no hacía nada más.

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