vs
QUICK ANSWER
"Alcance" is a form of "alcance", a noun which is often translated as "reach". "Cuantía" is a noun which is often translated as "quantity". Learn more about the difference between "cuantía" and "alcance" below.
la cuantía(
kwahn
-
tee
-
ah
)A feminine noun is almost always used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., la mujer bonita, la luna llena).
1. (sum)
2. (figurative) (degree)
A phrase used as a figure of speech or a word that is symbolic in meaning; metaphorical (e.g., carrot, bean).
a. extent
A las personas mayores les preocupa que la cuantía de la crisis económica les impida cobrar una pensión.Seniors are worried that the extent of the financial crisis will stop them from drawing their pension.
b. importance
Los asuntos de mayor cuantía serán los primeros que se tratarán al principio de la reunión.Those matters of greater importance will be dealt with at the beginning of the meeting.
c. significance
La cuantía de este evento no se puede subestimar.The significance of this event cannot be underestimated.
el alcance(
ahl
-
kahn
-
seh
)A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
1. (grasp)
a. reach
¿Me puedes pasar esa botella? - No, está fuera de mi alcance.Can you pass me that bottle? - No, it's beyond my reach.
2. (extent)
a. importance
Nadie predijo el alcance de aquel descubrimiento.Nobody predicted the importance of that discovery.
4. (resources)
a. means
Me encanta ese carro, pero está fuera de mi alcance.I really like that car, but it's beyond my means.
5. (distance)
a. range
La prueba falló porque la radio utilizaba ondas de corto alcance.The test didn't work because the radio used short-range waves.
a. deficit (accounting)
Aquí tengo el informe explicando porqué el alcance fue a favor del banco.I have here the report explaining why the deficit was credited to the bank.
