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"Alto" is an adjective which is often translated as "alto", and "high up" is a phrase which is often translated as "a gran altura". Learn more about the difference between "alto" and "high up" below.
alto(
ahl
-
to
)
An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
adjective
a. alto
Mona plays the alto sax in a jazz band.Mona toca el saxo alto en una banda de jazz.
A noun is a word referring to a person, animal, place, thing, feeling, or idea (e.g., man, dog, house).
noun
a. la contralto
(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)
(female singer)
Who's the alto in this opera?¿Quién es la contralto en esta ópera?
b. el contralto
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
(M)
(female voice)
Isabella's teacher told her her voice was an alto.El maestro de Isabella le dijo que su voz era un contralto.
c. el contratenor
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
(M)
(male voice and singer)
We need an alto for this part.Necesitamos un contratenor para este papel.
d. el alto
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
(M)
(instrument)
You play the tenor and I'll play the alto.Tú tocas el tenor y yo tocaré el alto.
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high up(
hay
 
uhp
)
A phrase is a group of words commonly used together (e.g., once upon a time).
phrase
a. a gran altura
We must be high up now. My ears just popped.Debemos de estar a gran altura. Se me acaban de destaponar los oídos.
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