seulement

Seulement is a French adverb meaning "only," "merely," or "just." It is used to limit the scope of a statement, indicating that nothing beyond what is stated is intended. As a common everyday word, it appears across spoken and written French.

Etymology and form: The word comes from the adjective seul, meaning "alone," with the adverbial suffix -ment. It is related to the Latin solus, and its function is to qualify or restrict the following element.

Usage and position: Seulement is typically placed immediately before the word or phrase it modifies, for example: Je veux seulement un café. He wants only one coffee. It can also appear after the verb: Je mange des légumes seulement. In phrases expressing not only, it participates in constructions such as Ce n'est pas seulement un problème, meaning "This is not only a problem." While commonly used with nouns or verbs, the nuance depends on emphasis and rhythm in speech.

Differences with synonyms and related forms: Uniquement is more formal or precise, often found in written or technical language. Seulement is less common but can be used in similar contexts. The negation pattern ne... que is another way to express a similar sense of limitation, though it changes the grammatical construction.

Translations and usage notes: In English, seulement translates to "only" or "merely." Care is needed to choose between seulement and uniquement based on tone, formality, and the desired emphasis.