vs
QUICK ANSWER
"A" is a preposition which is often translated as "to", and "alguno" is an adjective which is often translated as "some". Learn more about the difference between "a" and "alguno" below.
a, la a(
ah
)A preposition is a word that indicates the relationship between a noun and another word (e.g., He ran through the door.).
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Podía respirar a duras penas.He was hardly able to breathe.
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
¡A fregar los platos!Go do the dishes!
¡A la cama!Off to bed!
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Me encantaría ganar dinero a espuertas.I would love to earn lots of money.
Llovía a cántaros.It was pouring.
A feminine noun is almost always used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., la mujer bonita, la luna llena).
An abbreviation is the shortened form of a word or group of words (e.g., "UFO" = "unidentified flying object"; "p." = "page").
a. A
El circuito transporta una corriente de 1 A.The circuit carries a current of 1 A.
La intensidad de la corriente eléctrica se mide en A.The intensity of an electric current is measured in A.
alguno(
ahl
-
goo
-
noh
)An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
a. some (in affirmative clauses)
Dime que traes alguna buena noticia.Tell me you have some good news.
b. any (in interrogative or negative clauses)
¿Tiene algún error mi ensayo?Does my essay have any errors?
c. a (in interrogative or negative clauses)
¿Tienes alguna camiseta que me puedas prestar?Do you have a shirt that you can lend me?
a. any
No tiene conocimiento alguno sobre programación.He doesn't have any knowledge about programming.
A pronoun is a word that stands in for a noun (e.g., she).
a. any
Tengo muchos tomates en el jardín. ¿Quieres alguno?I have a lot of tomatoes in the garden. Would you like any?
a. someone (in affirmative clauses)
¡Mamá¡ ¡Papá! Alguno tiene que ayudarme con mi tarea de matemáticas.Mom! Dad! Someone has to help me with my math homework.
b. somebody (in affirmative clauses)
Por favor que alguno le abra la puerta.Somebody please open the door for him.
c. anyone (in interrogative clauses)
¿Me puede ayudar alguno a cambiar una llanta pinchada?Can anyone help me change a flat tire?
d. anybody (in interrogative clauses)
De tantos chicos en la fiesta ¿viste a alguno que ya conocías?Out of all those guys at the party, did you see anybody you already knew?
b. some people
Algunos dirían que estamos locos por quedarnos aquí.Some people would say we're mad to stay here.
