vs
QUICK ANSWER
"Descafeinado" is a form of "descafeinado", an adjective which is often translated as "decaffeinated". "A" is a preposition which is often translated as "to". Learn more about the difference between "descafeinado" and "a" below.
descafeinado(
dehs
-
kah
-
fey
-
nah
-
doh
)An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
a. decaffeinated
Dejé de beber café descafeinado y ahora bebo solamente té.I quit drinking decaffeinated coffee, and now I only drink tea.
b. decaf (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Alfredo siempre bebe café descafeinado por la mañana.Alberto always drinks decaf coffee in the morning.
2. (figurative) (less extreme)
A phrase used as a figure of speech or a word that is symbolic in meaning; metaphorical (e.g., carrot, bean).
a. toned-down (figurative)
A phrase used as a figure of speech or a word that is symbolic in meaning; metaphorical (e.g., carrot, bean).
Necesitamos una versión del texto con lenguaje descafeinado.We need a version of the text with toned-down language.
b. edited (figurative)
A phrase used as a figure of speech or a word that is symbolic in meaning; metaphorical (e.g., carrot, bean).
La versión descafeinada de la película no incluye las escenas de violencia.The edited version of the movie doesn't include the violent scenes.
A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
3. (beverage)
a. decaffeinated coffee
Dos cappuccinos y un descafeinado, por favor.Two cappuccinos and a decaffeinated coffee, please.
b. decaf (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
No pude dejar de beber café, pero al menos ahora compro solamente descafeinados.I couldn't stop drinking coffee, but at least now I only buy decafs.
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.