vs
QUICK ANSWER
"A mano" is a phrase which is often translated as "handy", and "al alcance de la mano" is a phrase which is often translated as "within arm's reach". Learn more about the difference between "a mano" and "al alcance de la mano" below.
a mano(
ah
mah
-
noh
)A phrase is a group of words commonly used together (e.g., once upon a time).
1. (near)
a. handy
Si tienes a mano su teléfono, llamo al restaurante para cambiar la reserva.If you have their phone number handy, I can call the restaurant to change the reservation.
c. on hand
Siempre hay alguien del personal del hotel a mano para ayudarte.There's always someone from the hotel staff on hand to help you.
f. nearby
Si hay a mano una oficina de correos, mándame esta carta, por favor.If there's a post office nearby, please send this letter for me.
g. to hand (United Kingdom)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
¿Tienes un lápiz a mano?Have you got a pencil to hand?
2. (manually)
a. by hand
Procura ahorrar agua si friegas los platos a mano.If you wash the dishes by hand, try to save water.
b. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Todos nuestros bastones están hechos a mano.All our walking sticks are handmade.
La nota estaba escrita a mano.It was a handwritten note.
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
El banco está calle abajo a unos cien metros a mano derecha.The bank is around 100 meters down the road on the right hand side.
Gire a mano izquierda en el siguiente cruce.Turn left at the next crossing.
4. (even) (Latin America)
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
a. square
Aquí tienes el dinero que me prestaste. Ahora estamos a mano.Here's the money you lent me. We're square now.
b. all square
¿Contaste el dinero? Bueno, quedamos a mano pues.Did you count the money? Right, so we're all square then.
al alcance de la mano(
ahl
ahl
-
kahn
-
seh
deh
lah
mah
-
noh
)A phrase is a group of words commonly used together (e.g., once upon a time).
1. (general)
a. within arm's reach
Habíamos conseguido marcar un segundo gol, y la victoria estaba al alcance de la mano.We had managed to score for a second time, and victory was within arm's reach.
b. within reach
Ahora que tenía el éxito al alcance de la mano, se daba cuenta de lo poco que le importaba.Now that success was within reach, she realized how little she cared about it.
c. at hand
Me gusta vivir en una ciudad grande y tener todos los servicios al alcance de la mano.I like living in a big city and having all services at hand.
