de entero
Lo entendí de entero.
I understood it completely.
Completely or entirely, without exception.
Se comió de entero el pastel.
He ate the whole cake.
Lo revisé de entero antes de firmar.
I reviewed it completely before signing.
Used to emphasize that something is done fully or entirely. Common in spoken Spanish.
Collocations
Synonyms
Antonyms
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
When to use 'de entero'
Use 'de entero' to emphasize that an action is done fully or entirely. It is most common with verbs like 'comer' (to eat), 'entender' (to understand), 'revisar' (to review), or 'gastar' (to spend). Avoid using it in formal writing.
Gold Rule
Avoid in formal contexts
'De entero' is considered informal and colloquial. In formal writing or professional settings, use 'por completo', 'totalmente', or 'completamente' instead.
Word Origin
The phrase combines the preposition 'de' (from/with) and 'entero' (whole/complete). 'Entero' derives from Latin 'integer' (whole, untouched), which also gave rise to English 'integer'. The phrase has been used in Spanish since at least the 18th century to emphasize completeness.
Usage Notes
While 'de entero' is grammatically correct, it is more common in informal speech. In writing, alternatives like 'por completo' or 'totalmente' are preferred. The phrase is often used with verbs of consumption or understanding to emphasize thoroughness.