/ˈmui/

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Translation

very

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Word origin

Shortened from Spanish mucho, ultimately from Latin multus ('much, many'). Used before adjectives and adverbs where mucho cannot stand.

Origin
Latin
Root
multus
English cognates
multiple, multitude

Examples

.

The exam was very difficult this time.

.

I am very grateful for your help.

.

He speaks very fast and I do not understand him well.

.

It was very late by the time we finally got to the hotel.

.

The little boy is very sweet with his grandparents.

.

My brother is very tall and very strong.

Muy intensifies adjectives and adverbs, meaning "very." It must not be confused with mucho, which modifies nouns and verbs. Muy never modifies a noun or verb directly - you cannot say "muy cansancio" (very tiredness) or "trabaja muy" (works very).

A subtle pitfall: muy cannot precede mucho/a/os/as. You say "muchísimo" (using the superlative suffix) rather than "muy mucho." Similarly, you cannot say "muy bien" and then intensify further with "muy muy bien" in formal writing, though in casual speech doubling is colloquially acceptable.

Where this fits

Used in

Stories

(100)

Grammar articles

(29)

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Spanish · Free printables

muy: worksheet, infographic and listicle

Free printable study downloads for the Spanish word "muy" (very): a worksheet with the answer key built in, an infographic, and a sentence listicle. Open any one to view, print or save.

This word is taught in chapter 2, lesson 7: muy, ya, ahora and 11 more words.