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"A lot" is an adverb which is often translated as "mucho", and "a few" is a phrase which is often translated as "algunos". Learn more about the difference between "a lot" and "a few" below.
a lot(
uh
lat
)An adverb is a word that describes a verb, an adjective, or other adverbs (e.g. to run quickly, very tired).
1. (frequently)
a. mucho
Since we live a block from the beach, we swim a lot.Como vivimos a una cuadra de la playa, nadamos mucho.
b. un montón (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Both my wife and I are retired, so we travel a lot.Mi esposa y yo estamos los dos jubilados, así que viajamos un montón.
2. (significantly)
a. mucho
This restaurant is a lot better than the one we went to last night.Este restaurante es mucho mejor que al que fuimos anoche.
b. un montón (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Janet has changed a lot since she started working. She's become more responsible.Janet ha cambiado un montón desde que empezó a trabajar. Se ha vuelto más responsable.
A pronoun is a word that stands in for a noun (e.g. she).
3. (a significant number)
b. muchas
How many people came to the party? - A lot.¿Cuántas personas vinieron a la fiesta? - Muchas.
c. un montón (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
I got a lot of presents for my birthday.Me hicieron un montón de regalos por mi cumpleaños.
a few(
uh
fyu
)A phrase is a group of words commonly used together (e.g once upon a time).
1. (indicating quantity)
a. algunos
Many sleeping pills stop working after a few hours.Muchas pastillas para dormir dejan de funcionar después de algunas horas.
b. unos
Do you have a few minutes after class to chat?¿Tienes unos minutos después de la clase para hablar?
d. unos cuantos
Are there many tomatoes left? - No, there are just a few.¿Quedan muchos tomates? - No, solo hay unos cuantos.
