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"A lot" is an adverb which is often translated as "mucho", and "several" is an adjective which is often translated as "varios". Learn more about the difference between "a lot" and "several" 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.
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).
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.
several(
sehv
-
ruhl
)An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
1. (some)
2. (separate)
a. diversos
The authors had argued in their several books that the economy would recover.Los autores habían argüido en sus diversos libros que la economía mejoraría.
A pronoun is a word that stands in for a noun (e.g., she).
3. (some)
a. varios (masculine)
Several of us arrived late, due to the traffic.Varios de nosotros llegamos tarde, debido al atasco.
b. varias (feminine)
Be careful with those chairs. Several are broken.Cuidado con esas sillas. Varias están rotas.
