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"A" is a preposition which is often translated as "to", and "penúltimo" is an adjective which is often translated as "penultimate". Learn more about the difference between "a" and "penúltimo" 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.
penúltimo(
pehn
-
ool
-
tee
-
moh
)An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
a. penultimate
El piloto tuvo un mal rendimiento en la clasificación y largará la carrera en el penúltimo lugar.The pilot didn't do well in the qualification and will start the race in the penultimate position.
b. second to last
Es el penúltimo día del semestre, y todavía no terminaste tu ensayo.It's the second to last day of the semester and you still haven't finished your essay.
c. last but one (United Kingdom)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
¿Puedes creer que perdí el pasaporte el penúltimo día de mis vacaciones?Can you believe that I lost my passport the last day but one of my vacation?
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).
a. second to last
Yo fui el penúltimo que salió del edificio en llamas.I was the second to last to escape from the burning building.
b. penultimate
Tendrás que escribir un acento si la sílaba acentuada es la penúltima.You'll have to write an accent mark if the stressed syllable is the penultimate.
c. next to last
Virginia cantó después de mí. Yo era la penúltima.Virgina sang after me. I was the next to last.
d. last but one (United Kingdom)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
Le vendieron la última entrada al penúltimo de la fila, y yo estaba detrás.The last ticket was sold to the last but one in line, and I was just behind him.
