Aproximadament

Aproximadament is a Catalan adverb meaning approximately, roughly, or nearly. It is used to express estimation of quantity, time, distance, or magnitude, and to indicate that a statement is not exact.

The word is formed from the verb aproximar (to approximate) with the adverbial suffix -ment. It is cognate with Spanish aproximadamente and French approximativement, all sharing the core sense of estimation.

As an invariable adverb, aproximadament does not change for gender or number. It commonly precedes a numeral or a measure phrase, or appears before clauses that indicate time or quantity. Examples: Hi havia aproximadament cinquanta persones. La reunió començarà aproximadament a les tres. El projecte costarà aproximadament quaranta mil euros. La temperatura és aproximadament vint graus.

Usage notes: aproximadament is appropriate in formal, semi-formal, and general writing to convey uncertainty or a margin of error. It distinguishes estimation from exact values more clearly than casual terms like gairebé or més o menys. In more technical contexts, alternatives such as "de manera aproximada" or "amb estimació d'error" may be used for precision.