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propiamente

properly; strictly speaking

adverb proh-pyah-MEN-teh Rare
Grammar & Structure Adverbs

Also means

exactly

Usage Note

Propiamente most commonly appears in the phrase propiamente dicho/a (strictly speaking, properly so-called), used to narrow or qualify a term — no es un científico propiamente dicho (he is not a scientist strictly speaking). On its own it means 'properly' or 'in the true sense'. It is a formal-register word rarely heard in casual conversation.

Examples

"Esto no es propiamente dicho un problema técnico."

Natural Translation

This is not strictly speaking a technical problem.

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