vs
QUICK ANSWER
"Any" is a pronoun which is often translated as "alguno", and "a lot" is an adverb which is often translated as "mucho". Learn more about the difference between "any" and "a lot" below.
any(
eh
-
ni
)A pronoun is a word that stands in for a noun (e.g., she).
1. (some)
a. alguno (in place of masculine plural noun)
I can play three instruments. Can you play any?Puedo tocar tres instrumentos. ¿Sabes tocar alguno?
b. alguna (in place of feminine plural noun)
I have lots of apples. Do you want any?Tengo muchas manzanas. ¿Quieres alguna?
c. no direct translation (in place of uncountable noun)
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Can I have some gum? - I don't have any.¿Me das un chicle? - No tengo.
We ran out of flour. Did you buy any?Se nos acabó la harina. ¿Compraste más?
2. (none)
a. ninguno (in place of masculine plural noun)
Did you find some new books? - No, there weren't any.¿Encontraste libros nuevos? - No, no había ninguno.
b. ninguna (in place of feminine plural noun)
Did you buy the slippers? - No, there weren't any.¿Compraron las pantuflas? - No, no había ninguna.
3. (whichever)
a. cualquiera
I don't care which shirt I get. Any is fine.No me importa qué camisa me toque. Cualquiera está bien.
An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
4. (some)
b. no direct translation (before uncountable or plural noun)
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Do you have any kids?¿Tienes hijos?
Do you have any sugar?¿Tienes azúcar?
5. (none)
d. no direct translation (with uncountable or plural noun)
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
I don't have any time.No tengo tiempo.
We don't have any choice.No tenemos otra opción.
a. cuantos
Eric said he wants any sodas that you don't drink.Eric dijo que quiere cuantos refrescos no tomen.
You can give me any skirts that don't fit you.Cuantas faldas no te queden me las puedes dar a mí.
b. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
I want any chocolates that are left after the party.Quiero todos los chocolates que queden después de la fiesta.
You can leave any pages you don't need on the table.Puedes dejar en la mesa cualquier hoja que no ocupes.
An adverb is a word that describes a verb, an adjective, or other adverbs (e.g., to run quickly, very tired).
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Do you want any more salad?¿Quieres más ensalada?
If there aren't any further questions, we'll end the meeting.Si no hay más preguntas, terminaremos la junta.
c. nada (only in negative phrases)
I don't think the room they painted looks any better.Para mí el cuarto que pintaron no se va nada mejor.
a lot(
uh
lat
)An adverb is a word that describes a verb, an adjective, or other adverbs (e.g., to run quickly, very tired).
1. (frequently)
a. mucho
Since we live a block from the beach, we swim a lot.Como vivimos a una cuadra de la playa, nadamos mucho.
b. un montón (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Both my wife and I are retired, so we travel a lot.Mi esposa y yo estamos los dos jubilados, así que viajamos un montón.
a. mucho
This restaurant is a lot better than the one we went to last night.Este restaurante es mucho mejor que al que fuimos anoche.
b. un montón (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Janet has changed a lot since she started working. She's become more responsible.Janet ha cambiado un montón desde que empezó a trabajar. Se ha vuelto más responsable.
A pronoun is a word that stands in for a noun (e.g., she).
b. muchas
How many people came to the party? - A lot.¿Cuántas personas vinieron a la fiesta? - Muchas.
c. un montón (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
I got a lot of presents for my birthday.Me hicieron un montón de regalos por mi cumpleaños.
