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"In" is a form of "in", a preposition which is often translated as "en". "About" is a preposition which is often translated as "sobre". Learn more about the difference between "about" and "in" below.
about(
uh
-
baut
)
A preposition is a word that indicates the relationship between a noun and another word (e.g., He ran through the door.).
preposition
a. sobre
The movie we saw last night was about World War I.La película que vimos anoche era sobre la Primera Guerra Mundial.
b. acerca de
That new series about petroleum is fascinating.Esa nueva serie acerca del petróleo es fascinante.
c. de
I'm reading a book about history.Estoy leyendo un libro de historia.
d. por
My husband hasn't been feeling well lately. I'm worried about him.Mi esposo no se encuentra bien últimamente. Estoy preocupada por él.
e. a propósito de
Me gustaría hablar contigo a propósito del nuevo proyecto.I'd like to have a chat with you about the new project.
a. en
There is something about his expression that intrigued me.Hay algo en su expresión que me intrigaba.
3.
A word or phrase restricted in usage to literature or established writing (e.g., sex, once upon a time).
(literary)
(around)
a. alrededor de
The girl put her arm about her teddy bear.La niña puso el brazo alrededor de su oso de peluche.
a.
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
no direct translation
Since you're about it, will you make me some tea?Ya que estás en ello, ¿me preparas una taza de té?
While I'm about it, I'll ask our neighbor to watch the cat while we're away.De paso, le pediré a la vecina que nos cuide el gato mientras estamos fuera.
5. (in a place)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
(United Kingdom)
a. en
Lady Mary is walking about the park.Lady Mary está caminando en el parque.
b. por
We were strolling about the old quarter for a while and then went back to the hotel.Estuvimos paseando un rato por el casco antiguo y luego volvimos al hotel.
6. (on one's person)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
(United Kingdom)
a. con
I don't have the papers about me.No tengo los documentos conmigo.
An adverb is a word that describes a verb, an adjective, or other adverbs (e.g., to run quickly, very tired).
adverb
a. aproximadamente
There are about 40 guests in the hotel.Hay aproximadamente 40 huéspedes en el hotel.
b. alrededor de
The trout Alexander caught weighed about 55 pounds.La trucha que pescó Alexander pesaba alrededor de 55 libras.
c. más o menos
It was about 10 am when the doctor called.Eran más o menos las 10 am cuando llamó el doctor.
d. unos (with masculine nouns)
There must have been about 50 guests at the reception.Habría unos 50 invitados en la recepción.
e. unas (with feminine nouns)
My neighbor has about 10 or 12 candles in the window which she lights in the evenings.Mi vecina tendrá unas 10 o 12 velas en la ventana que enciende por las noches.
a. a punto de
The train is about to leave the station.El tren está a punto de salir de la estación.
a. por todas partes
There was candy all about after the Halloween party.Había dulces por todas partes después de la fiesta de Halloween.
b. de un lado a otro
The cat was running about like a madman all over the house.El gato corría de un lado a otro como un loco por toda la casa.
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in(
ihn
)
A preposition is a word that indicates the relationship between a noun and another word (e.g., He ran through the door.).
preposition
a. en
Your father is in the kitchen.Tu padre está en la cocina.
b. dentro de (inside of)
Dinner is in the fridge.La cena está dentro de la nevera.
a. en
She was born in 1983.Nació en 1983.
b. dentro de (within)
I finished the third book in the "A Song of Ice and Fire" series in three days.Terminé el tercer libro en la colección "Una canción de hielo y fuego" dentro de tres días.
a. dentro de
We have to leave in five minutes, at the latest.Nos tenemos que ir dentro de cinco minutos, a más tardar.
b. en
You go on ahead. I'll meet you in a half hour.Tú ve. Yo te veo en media hora.
a. en
Does this dress come in red?Este vestido, ¿está disponible en rojo?
Try introducing yourself in Spanish.Intenta presentarte en español.
a. de
Lionel Messi is, without a doubt, the best soccer player in the world.Lionel Messi es, sin duda, el mejor futbolista del mundo.
a.
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
no direct translation
Four people in five preferred the first brand of soda.Cuatro de cada cinco personas prefirieron la primera marca de refresco.
The wedding party should come down the aisle in twos.El cortejo nupcial debe caminar por el pasillo de dos en dos.
a. en
I heard you can make a lot of money in sales.Oí que se puede hacer mucho dinero en ventas.
b. dedicarse a
He works in investment banking.Él se dedica a la banca de inversión.
An adverb is a word that describes a verb, an adjective, or other adverbs (e.g., to run quickly, very tired).
adverb
a.
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
no direct translation
Am I going to stand out here all day, or are you going to invite me in?¿Me voy a quedar parado aquí afuera el día entero, o me vas a invitar a pasar?
The dog won't come in until they open the door.El perro no entrará hasta que abran la puerta.
a. de moda
Short skirts are no longer in.Las minifaldas ya no están de moda.
a.
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
no direct translation
I'm afraid the doctor isn't in today.Me temo que el doctor no se encuentra hoy.
Is Denise in? I'd like to speak with her.¿Está Denise? Me gustaría hablar con ella.
a. dentro
I'm sure that serve was in!Estoy seguro de que ese saque estaba dentro.
A noun is a word referring to a person, animal, place, thing, feeling, or idea (e.g., man, dog, house).
noun
a. la palanca
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
(F)
He only got the job because his dad has an in with the company.Solo consiguió el puesto porque su papá tiene palanca dentro de la empresa.
An abbreviation is the shortened form of a word or group of words (e.g., "UFO" = "unidentified flying object"; "p." = "page").
abbreviation
a. pulgada
A word or phrase that is singular (e.g., el gato).
(singular)
1 in equals 25.40 mm.1 pulgada equivale a 25.40 mm.
b. pulgadas
A word or phrase that is plural (e.g., los libros).
(plural)
The drawing measures 20 x 25 in.El dibujo mide 20 x 25 pulgadas.
c. in
The computer has a 27-in screen.La computadora tiene una pantalla de 27 in.
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