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"Es alto" is a phrase which is often translated as "he's tall", and "flaco" is an adjective which is often translated as "thin". Learn more about the difference between "es alto" and "flaco" below.
es alto(
ehs
ahl
-
toh
)A phrase is a group of words commonly used together (e.g., once upon a time).
a. he's tall
Es alto y guapo, y también inteligente y simpático.He's tall and handsome, and also intelligent and funny.
b. it's tall
Es alto y moderno, y está ubicado en el centro de la ciudad.It's tall and modern, and it's located in the city center.
d. it's high
Es alto en azúcar, no deberías comerlo tan seguido.It's high in sugar, you shouldn't eat it so often
e. is high
El volcán es alto e imponente, pero está inactivo.The volcano is high and impressive, but it's dormant.
2. (formal) (second person singular)
A word or phrase used to refer to the second person formal “usted” by their conjugation or implied context (e.g., usted).
flaco(
flah
-
koh
)An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
1. (slim)
2. (poor)
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Hizo un flaco servicio a su familia comprando esas tierras.He did a disservice to his family by buying that land.
Esta mala noticia hace un flaco favor a la Bolsa.This bad news does the Stock Market no favors.
3. (literary) (weak)
A word or phrase restricted in usage to literature or established writing (e.g., sex, once upon a time).
A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
4. (defect)
a. weakness
La escritora dice que la pereza es su flaco.The write says that laziness is her weakness.
b. weak point
El jefe cree que él es perfecto y no tiene ningún flaco.The boss thinks he's perfect and doesn't have any weak points.
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).
a. guy (colloquial) (masculine)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
A word or phrase that is masculine (e.g., el libro).
¿Tu hija sale con un flaco? - Sí, bueno, es que tiene ya 18 años.Is your daughter dating a guy? - Yes, well, she's 18 now.
b. boy (masculine)
A word or phrase that is masculine (e.g., el libro).
Me gusta mucho ese flaco. ¿Lo conoces?I really like that boy. Do you know him?
c. girl (feminine)
A word or phrase that is feminine (e.g., la manzana).
¿Quién es la flaca que está con Juan? Nunca la había visto.Who's the girl with Juan? I've never seen her before.
d. kid (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
¡Qué flacos tan simpáticos! ¿Están en tu clase?What nice kids! Are they in your class?
