When "un poco" isn't accurate

Question

I know enough Spanish that I should not be responding to the question as to whether or not I speak Spanish with un poco or poquito. I tried to find a better response from someone, but I can't remember exactly what it was. I think it was either maso meno or meso meno, but the translator at this site doesn't verify either.

I explained to this person that in the U.S. when a newcomer tries to speak English, we often refer to their speech as broken English. I know that is how I sound to a Spanish speaking person because while I get a lot of the words right, the tense, syntax and probable lack of an indefinite article or personal pronoun must sound broken to that person.

Answer 1

I think you might be referring to "más o menos", which is "more or less" in English.

¿Hablas español? Sí, más o menos (yes, more or less)

Answer 2

HI bill, I guess you mean menos, less, but that makes no sense here

¿Hablas español?

Sí, hablo algo de español, sí, un poco, un poquito...

This is perfectly valid

Answer 3

Bill, I finished a Pimsleur CD a few weeks back that taught the phrase "entiendo un poco de español" to mean "I understand a little Spanish". I used it last week when speaking with someone from Mexico (I believe), and he corrected me by suggesting the word "poquito", to be "entiendo un poquito de español".

I'm hoping that is correct. Thanks for asking the question. I want to see what others say.

Welcome to the forum!