casualmente
adverbCEFR B2
What does “casualmente” mean in English?
by coincidence or accident, without prior planning
Example sentences
Casualmente, coincidimos en el mismo vuelo sin haberlo planeado.
By chance, we ended up on the same flight without having planned it.
Me enteré casualmente de la noticia mientras escuchaba la radio en el coche.
I found out about the news by chance while listening to the radio in the car.
How to use it
Casualmente (adverb, from casual, chance/coincidental) means 'by chance' or 'coincidentally' — it is a classic false friend: it never means 'casually' (in a relaxed, informal manner), which in Spanish is de manera informal or informalmente. Core collocation: casualmente, me encontré con él ayer.
Common mistake
Casualmente is a false friend: it means 'by chance/coincidentally', never 'casually' (in a relaxed or informal way). For that meaning, use de manera informal, informalmente or con desenfado instead.
Topics
Related B2 words
Reference
This entry’s teaching guidance follows Plan Curricular del Instituto Cervantes (Instituto Cervantes), B2 Falsos amigos y nociones: azar y coin.