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"Complemento" is a form of "complemento", a noun which is often translated as "complement". "A" is a preposition which is often translated as "to". Learn more about the difference between "a" and "complemento" 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
The following examples show ways to translate this word or phrase without using a direct equivalent.
Podía respirar a duras penas.He was hardly able to breathe.
a. no direct translation
The following examples show ways to translate this word or phrase without using a direct equivalent.
¡A fregar los platos!Go do the dishes!
¡A la cama!Off to bed!
a. no direct translation
The following examples show ways to translate this word or phrase without using a direct equivalent.
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.
el complemento(
kohm
-
pleh
-
mehn
-
toh
)A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
1. (supplement)
a. complement
La impresora multifuncional es el complemento perfecto para su oficina en casa.The multifunction printer is the perfect complement to your home office.
2. (culinary)
a. accompaniment
Las acelgas son un buen complemento para el pescado a la plancha.Chard is a good accompaniment to grilled fish.
a. complement
El complemento de un ángulo de 30 grados tiene 60 grados.The complement of a 30-degree angle has 60 degrees.
4. (grammar)
a. complement
En la frase "pon el libro en la mesa" el complemento preposicional de "en" es "la mesa".In the sentence "Put the book on the table," the prepositional complement of "on" is "the table".
b. object
El complemento directo recibe la acción de un verbo transitivo.A direct object receives the action of a transitive verb.
5. (extra pay)
a. bonus
El salario base es bajo, pero me pagan complementos por antigüedad e idiomas.The base salary is low, but I get paid bonuses for seniority and languages.
6. (ornament)
a. accessory
Ese collar es el complemento perfecto para tu vestido verde.That necklace is the perfect accessory to your green dress.
los complementos
A plural noun indicates that there is more than one person, place, thing, or idea.
7. (automobile)
a. accessories
Aquí venden complementos para todas las marcas de autos.They sell accessories for all brands of cars.
