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"Alto" is a form of "alto", an adjective which is often translated as "tall". "Flaco" is an adjective which is often translated as "thin". Learn more about the difference between "alto" and "flaco" below.
alto(
ahl
-
toh
)An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
1. (height)
2. (level)
3. (sound)
a. loud
La música estaba tan alta que no podíamos conversar.The music was so loud that we couldn't talk.
4. (geography)
5. (history)
a. high
La iglesia se convirtió en una institución unificadora en la Alta Edad Media.The church became a unifying institution in the High Middle Ages.
a. high
El alto antiguo alemán se hablaba en zonas de Alemania hasta el siglo X u XI.The Old High German was spoken in areas of Germany until the 10th or 11th century.
An adverb is a word that describes a verb, an adjective, or other adverbs (e.g., to run quickly, very tired).
A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
10. (break)
a. stop
Haremos un alto para tomar un café y usar el baño.We will make a stop to have a coffee and use the restroom.
11. (architecture)
a. top floor
Un ático es un apartamento en el alto de un edificio.A penthouse is an apartment on the top floor of a building.
a. length
Tengo que calcular el alto de tela que necesito para hacer una falda.I have to calculate the length of fabric that I need to make a skirt.
14. (automobile)
a. lights
El conductor no vio el alto y atropelló a un peatón que cruzaba la carretera.The driver didn't see the lights, and ran over a pedestrian crossing the road.
An interjection is a short utterance that expresses emotion, hesitation, or protest (e.g., Wow!).
a. stop
¡Alto! No pueden entrar en ese ala del hospital sin traje para protección contra materiales peligrosos.Stop! You can't go into that wing of the hospital without a hazmat suit.
flaco(
flah
-
koh
)An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
1. (slim)
2. (poor)
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Hizo un flaco servicio a su familia comprando esas tierras.He did a disservice to his family by buying that land.
Esta mala noticia hace un flaco favor a la Bolsa.This bad news does the Stock Market no favors.
3. (literary) (weak)
A word or phrase restricted in usage to literature or established writing (e.g., sex, once upon a time).
A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
4. (defect)
a. weakness
La escritora dice que la pereza es su flaco.The write says that laziness is her weakness.
b. weak point
El jefe cree que él es perfecto y no tiene ningún flaco.The boss thinks he's perfect and doesn't have any weak points.
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. guy (colloquial) (masculine)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
A word or phrase that is masculine (e.g., el libro).
¿Tu hija sale con un flaco? - Sí, bueno, es que tiene ya 18 años.Is your daughter dating a guy? - Yes, well, she's 18 now.
b. boy (masculine)
A word or phrase that is masculine (e.g., el libro).
Me gusta mucho ese flaco. ¿Lo conoces?I really like that boy. Do you know him?
c. girl (feminine)
A word or phrase that is feminine (e.g., la manzana).
¿Quién es la flaca que está con Juan? Nunca la había visto.Who's the girl with Juan? I've never seen her before.
d. kid (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
¡Qué flacos tan simpáticos! ¿Están en tu clase?What nice kids! Are they in your class?
