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"Efectivo" is an adjective which is often translated as "effective", and "a" is a preposition which is often translated as "to". Learn more about the difference between "efectivo" and "a" below.
efectivo, el efectivo(
eh
-
fehk
-
tee
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boh
)An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
a. effective
La vacuna tarda unos días en ser efectiva.The vaccine takes a few days to become effective.
A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
los efectivos
A plural noun indicates that there is more than one person, place, thing, or idea.
4. (military)
a. forces
El país aumentó el número de efectivos militares en la zona.The country increased the number of military forces in the area.
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.
