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"Cuarto" is an adjective which is often translated as "fourth", and "primero" is an adjective which is often translated as "first". Learn more about the difference between "cuarto" and "primero" below.
cuarto, el cuarto(
kwahr
-
toh
)
An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
adjective
a. fourth
Entra al edificio y toma el ascensor al cuarto piso.Enter the building and take the elevator to the fourth floor.
A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
masculine noun
a. quarter
Un cuarto de la clase es macho.A quarter of the class is male.
b. fourth
Solo un cuarto de los encuestados prefirieron la primera pasta dental.Only a fourth of those surveyed preferred the first toothpaste.
a. quarter
Son las siete menos cuarto.It's a quarter to seven.
b. fifteen
Son las diez y cuarto.It's ten fifteen.
a. room
La casa tiene cuatro cuartos.The house has four rooms.
b. bedroom
Comparto un cuarto con mi hermana.I share a bedroom with my sister.
a. quarter
En el partido de hoy, metí dos canastas en el tercer cuarto.In today's game, I scored two baskets in the third quarter.
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primero(
pree
-
meh
-
roh
)
An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
adjective
a. first
Los países se enumeran en la primera fila de la tabla.The countries are listed in the first row of the table.
a. first
El partido se canceló tras el primer tiempo.The match was canceled after the first half.
a. main
Nuestro primer objetivo es reducir gastos.Our main objective is to reduce expenses.
An adverb is a word that describes a verb, an adjective, or other adverbs (e.g., to run quickly, very tired).
adverb
a. first
Primero oí la explosión y luego vi el fuego.First I heard the explosion and then I saw the fire.
a. rather
Primero me muero antes de montar esa montaña rusa.I'd rather die than go on that roller coaster.
This means that the noun can be masculine or feminine, depending on the gender of the noun it refers to (e.g., el doctor, la doctora).
masculine or feminine noun
a. the best
Era el primero en matemáticas en séptimo grado.I was the best in mathematics in seventh grade.
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