Mainly Meaning in English
word
/ˈmeɪnɫi/
MAYN-lee
/mˈeɪnli/
MAYN-lee
Definition
Used to show that something happens more than anything else, or is the most important part or reason.
Usage & Nuances
'Mainly' is used to focus on the primary feature, cause, or part, but allows for other factors. Often appears before adjectives or after the verb. Commonly confused with 'mostly,' which is very similar but 'mainly' can sound slightly more formal.
Spanish: principalmente - mayormentePortuguese (BR): principalmente - majoritariamentePortuguese (PT): principalmente - maioritariamenteChinese (Simplified): 主要地 - 大多Chinese (Traditional): 主要地 - 大多Hindi: मुख्यतः - ज़्यादातरArabic: بشكل رئيسي - في الغالبBengali: মূলত - প্রধানতRussian: главным образом - в основномJapanese: 主に - 大部分はVietnamese: chủ yếu - phần lớnKorean: 주로 - 대부분Turkish: esas olarak - ağırlıklı olarakUrdu: زیادہ تر - بنیادی طور پرIndonesian: terutama - terutama sekali
Example Sentences
She eats vegetables mainly for health reasons.
basic
The meeting is mainly about the new project.
basic
Italy is mainly famous for its food.
basic
We mainly went to the beach to relax, not to swim.
natural
The city is mainly populated by students during the year.
natural
It's mainly just old habits that are hard to break.
natural