Spanish expression · Updated October 10, 2026

Igualmente

Igualmente means “likewise”, “you too” or “same to you”. It's the reply when someone wishes you something you'd wish them back: mucho gusto (“nice to meet you”), buen fin de semana (“have a good weekend”), feliz año (“happy new year”). One word, polite, works with anyone, anywhere. It saves you repeating the whole sentence.

How people really use it

Meeting someone at a party.

1. Valentina

   Soy Valentina, la hermana de Diego. Mucho gusto.

   I'm Valentina, Diego's sister. Nice to meet you.

2. Mateo

   Igualmente. Diego me habla mucho de ti.

   Likewise. Diego talks about you a lot.

Leaving work on Friday.

1. Lucía

   ¡Que tengas buen fin de semana!

   Have a good weekend!

2. Javier

   Gracias, igualmente.

   Thanks, you too.

After a match between friends.

1. Andrés

   Bien jugado, ¿eh?

   Well played, eh?

2. Camila

   Igualmente. La próxima te gano.

   You too. Next time I'll beat you.

🤷 Depende del País

Igualmente is neutral and used everywhere. A couple of countries also use the shorter igual, with a twist.

• 🌎 Everywhere: Igualmente as “likewise / you too”.
• 🇨🇱 Chile: Igual often means “anyway” or “still”: igual voy means “I'm going anyway”.
• 🇪🇸 Spain: Igual often means “maybe”: igual llego tarde, “I might be late”.
• 🇦🇷 Argentina: Igual for “anyway”: igual te llamo, “I'll call you anyway”.

Register and sound

Register. Neutral to polite. Works with friends, strangers, a boss or a client. You can make it warmer: igualmente, gracias.

Sounds like. ee-gwal-MEN-teh. Five syllables, stress on MEN. The gu is like “gw” in “Gwen”.

Questions people ask

How do you reply to mucho gusto in Spanish?

Igualmente (“likewise”) is the most common reply. El gusto es mío (“the pleasure is mine”) is a little more formal.

Is igualmente formal or informal?

Both. It's polite enough for a business meeting and casual enough for friends.

What is the difference between igualmente and igual?

Igualmente means “likewise”. Igual means “the same” or “equal”, and in many countries also “anyway” or “maybe” in conversation.