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"A" is a preposition which is often translated as "to", and "autor" is a noun which is often translated as "author". Learn more about the difference between "a" and "autor" 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.
el autor, la autora(
ow
-
tohr
)This means that the noun can be masculine or feminine, depending on the gender of the noun it refers to (e.g., el doctor, la doctora).
1. (profession)
a. author
Stephen King es un autor famoso de novelas de suspenso.Stephen King is a famous author of suspense novels.
b. writer (literature)
El autor le dedicó su nuevo libro a sus hijos.The writer dedicated his new book to his children.
c. playwright (theater)
La obra fue escrita por un autor alemán.The play was written by a German playwright.
d. painter (painting)
El autor de esa obra de arte se llama Vincent Van Gogh.The painter of that work of art is called Vincent Van Gogh.
2. (doer)
a. perpetrator (of crime)
El autor del crimen pagará las consecuencias de lo que hizo.The perpetrator of the crime will pay for what he did.
b. originator
Los autores del plan se llevaron el mérito de los cambios en la región.The originators of the plan were credited with bringing change to the region.