B2.19 - Import and export

Focalisers: particularmente, especialmente...

Focalizadores: particularmente, especialmente...

Los focalizadores son adverbios que refuerzan una idea.

(Focusers are adverbs that reinforce an idea.)

What these words do (focalizadores)

Focalizadores are adverbs that spotlight one part of your message.

  • They make an idea sound stronger, more precise, or more limited.
  • They are common in professional Spanish to sound clear and persuasive.
Effect Typical adverbs Meaning in English
Highlight / specify particularmente, especialmente, precisamente particularly, especially, exactly
Evaluate (sound convinced) realmente, verdaderamente really, truly
Maximum degree / certainty totalmente, absolutamente completely, absolutely
Small degree ligeramente slightly

Where to place them (the pattern you can reuse)

Most of the time, focalizadores go directly before what they intensify.

  • Before an adjective: La tarifa es especialmente competitiva.
  • Before a noun phrase: Nos interesa particularmente el comercio con América Latina.
  • Before “that/this” to mean “that exact one”: Necesitamos precisamente ese certificado.

Self-check: Ask yourself: “What am I emphasizing?” Put the adverb right in front of that word/group.

Choosing the right adverb: not all “really” are the same

If you want to say… Use Example (business context)
“especially / above all” (one item stands out) especialmente Este servicio es especialmente útil en temporada alta.
“particularly” (your interest/focus is narrowed) particularmente Nos preocupa particularmente el plazo de entrega.
“exactly that one / right then” (precision, not intensity) precisamente Buscamos precisamente ese proveedor por su red logística.
“really / genuinely” (assessment) realmente La propuesta es realmente viable.
“truly” (more formal, emphatic) verdaderamente Es verdaderamente complejo cumplir con esa normativa.
“completely” (degree) totalmente Estamos totalmente preparados para la auditoría.
“absolutely” (strong necessity / no doubt) absolutamente El número EORI es absolutamente obligatorio para exportar.
“slightly” (small change) ligeramente El coste aumentó ligeramente este mes.

Common pitfalls (and how to avoid them)

  • Adverb vs adjective

    To intensify, you need an -mente adverb, not an adjective.

    La tarifa es especial competitiva. → La tarifa es especialmente competitiva.

  • No extra “de”

    These focalizers go straight before the word they modify.

    Necesitamos precisamente de esa certificación. → Necesitamos precisamente esa certificación.

  • Don’t confuse “precisamente” with “precisely (accurately)”

    In many contexts, precisamente means exactly that one / exactly at that point, not “with precision”.

    Necesitamos precisamente ese documento = “That exact document (not another)”.

High-frequency fixed combinations (learn as chunks)

  • totalmente de acuerdo (very common, sounds natural)
  • realmente bueno (evaluation)
  • verdaderamente bien (more emphatic / formal)

Tip: Use these as ready-made professional phrases in meetings and negotiations.

Quick self-test: did you place the spotlight correctly?

  1. Identify the idea you want stronger (adjective, noun phrase, “that one”).
  2. Insert the focalizador directly before it.
  3. Read aloud: does the emphasis land where you intended?
FocalizadorEjemplo
ParticularmenteNos dirigimos particularmente al comercio internacional con América Latina. (We focus particularly on international trade with Latin America.)
EspecialmenteLa tarifa es especialmente competitiva para el transporte marítimo. (The rate is especially competitive for sea freight.)
TotalmenteEstamos totalmente preparados para el despacho de aduana. (We are fully prepared for customs clearance.)
RealmenteLa factura proforma es realmente útil para negociar el precio. (The pro forma invoice is really useful for negotiating the price.)
VerdaderamenteEl régimen aduanero es verdaderamente complejo en este país. (The customs regime is truly complex in this country.)
PrecisamenteNecesitamos precisamente esa certificación de origen. (We need precisely that certificate of origin.)
LigeramenteEl arancel aumentó ligeramente este trimestre. (The tariff increased slightly this quarter.)
AbsolutamenteEste documento es absolutamente obligatorio para exportar. (This document is absolutely mandatory for exporting.)

Exceptions!

  1. Algunas combinaciones muy frecuentes son ⇒ totalmente de acuerdo, realmente bueno, verdaderamente bien.

Exercise 1: Multiple choice

Instruction: Choose the correct answer

1. La tarifa es ____ competitiva para el transporte marítimo a Valencia.

The rate is ____ competitive for sea freight to Valencia.

2. Necesitamos ____ esa certificación de origen para que la aduana no retenga la mercancía.

We ____ need that certificate of origin so customs won't hold the goods.

3. Estoy ____ de acuerdo con declarar la mercancía antes de que llegue al puerto.

I ____ agree with declaring the goods before they arrive at the port.

4. El arancel aumentó ____ este trimestre, pero el proveedor mantuvo el descuento.

The tariff rose ____ this quarter, but the supplier kept the discount.

Exercise 2: Rewrite the phrases

Instruction: Rewrite the sentences by adding the focusing adverb shown in parentheses to reinforce the idea, without changing the basic meaning of the sentence.

Show/Hide translation Show/Hide hints
  1. Hint Hint (especialmente) Nuestra oferta es competitiva para el mercado europeo.
    ⇒ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Example
    Nuestra oferta es especialmente competitiva en el mercado europeo.
    (Our offer is especially competitive in the European market.)
  2. Hint Hint (particularmente) Nos interesa el comercio con América Latina.
    ⇒ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Example
    Nos interesa particularmente el comercio con América Latina.
    (We are particularly interested in trade with Latin America.)
  3. Hint Hint (totalmente) Estamos preparados para gestionar los trámites de aduana.
    ⇒ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Example
    Estamos totalmente preparados para gestionar los trámites de aduana.
    (We are fully prepared to handle customs procedures.)
  4. Hint Hint (absolutamente) El certificado de origen es obligatorio para esta operación.
    ⇒ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Example
    El certificado de origen es absolutamente obligatorio para esta operación.
    (The certificate of origin is absolutely required for this transaction.)

Exercise 3: Grammar in action

Instruction: Talk with your partner to agree the key terms of the operation.

Show/Hide translation
Situation
Eres representante comercial negociando una nueva ruta de transporte internacional.
(You are a sales representative negotiating a new international shipping route.)
Discuss
  • ¿Qué tipo de mercancía internacional queréis mover y por qué ese mercado, particularmente? (What type of international goods do you want to move, and why that particular market?)
  • ¿En qué aspectos debe ser especialmente competitiva la tarifa de transporte para tu empresa (precio, rapidez, seguridad)? ¿Por qué? (In which aspects does the transport rate need to be especially competitive for your company (price, speed, security)? Why?)
Useful words and phrases
  • la tarifa de transporte (the transport rate)
  • la factura proforma (the pro forma invoice)
  • el despacho de aduana (customs clearance)
Use in conversation
  • particularmente / especialmente + adjetivo o sintagma nominal (particularly / especially + adjective or noun phrase)
  • realmente / verdaderamente + adjetivo para valorar opciones (really / truly + adjective to evaluate options)
  • absolutamente / totalmente + participio para mostrar seguridad (absolutely / totally + past participle to show certainty)

Written by

This content has been designed and reviewed by the coLanguage pedagogical team: About coLanguage

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Alessia Amoroso

Master of Languages, Cultures, Communication

Università degli Studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia

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Last Updated:

Tuesday, 07/04/2026 08:27