QUICK ANSWER
"Cariñoso" is an adjective which is often translated as "affectionate", and "a" is a preposition which is often translated as "to". Learn more about the difference between "cariñoso" and "a" below.
cariñoso(
kah
-
ree
-
nyoh
-
soh
)An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
1. (general)
a. affectionate
Mis abuelos son muy cariñosos el uno con el otro.My grandparents are very affectionate with each other.
Los piscis tienen un carácter afable y cariñoso.Pisces have a friendly, affectionate nature.
a, la a(
ah
)A preposition is a word that indicates the relationship between a noun and another word (e.g., He ran through the door.).
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Podía respirar a duras penas.He was hardly able to breathe.
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
¡A fregar los platos!Go do the dishes!
¡A la cama!Off to bed!
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Me encantaría ganar dinero a espuertas.I would love to earn lots of money.
Llovía a cántaros.It was pouring.
A feminine noun is almost always used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., la mujer bonita, la luna llena).
An abbreviation is the shortened form of a word or group of words (e.g., "UFO" = "unidentified flying object"; "p." = "page").
a. A
El circuito transporta una corriente de 1 A.The circuit carries a current of 1 A.
La intensidad de la corriente eléctrica se mide en A.The intensity of an electric current is measured in A.
