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"Alto" is a form of "alto", an adjective which is often translated as "tall". "Stop" is a noun which is often translated as "stop sign". Learn more about the difference between "alto" and "stop" 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.
el stop(
ehs
-
tohp
)A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
1. (road sign)
2. (halt)
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Yo siempre hago el stop porque pienso que la señal está ahí por algún motivo.I always stop at the stop sign because I think it must be there for a reason.
Suspendí el examen de manejar porque no hice el stop.I failed my driving test because I didn't stop at the stop sign.
a. stop light (United States)
Regionalism used in the United States
Estoy segura de que el conductor del camión frenó porque se encendieron los stops.I'm sure the driver of the truck braked because the stop lights came on.
b. brake light (United Kingdom)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
Tenemos que llevar el carro al taller porque uno de los stops está estropeado.We have to take the car to the garage because one of the brake lights doesn't work.
An interjection is a short utterance that expresses emotion, hesitation, or protest (e.g., Wow!).
