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"Escaso" is an adjective which is often translated as "scarce", and "poco" is an adjective which is often translated as "little". Learn more about the difference between "escaso" and "poco" below.
escaso(
ehs
-
kah
-
soh
)An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
b. limited
El compromiso de la comunidad con el medio ambiente es escaso y debe aumentarse.The community commitment to the environment is limited and should be increased.
c. scant
Los médicos se quejan de la escasa participación del gobierno en las campañas de prevención.Doctors complain of scant government participation in prevention campaigns.
d. short
El discurso del presidente estuvo lamentablemente escaso de temas de seguridad pública.The president's speech was unfortunately short on public safety issues.
2. (just)
poco(
poh
-
koh
)An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
1. (not much)
An adverb is a word that describes a verb, an adjective, or other adverbs (e.g., to run quickly, very tired).
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Duerme muy poco los fines de semana.He doesn't sleep much on weekends.
Últimamente nos vemos muy poco.We don't see much of each other lately.
A pronoun is a word that stands in for a noun (e.g., she).
a. little
Con lo poco que me quedaba, pude arreglarme.I was able to manage with the little I had left.
6. (not many)
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Menos mal que pocos piensan como él.It's just as well not many people think like he does.
Hay pocos que se molestarían en ayudarlo como tú.There are few who would bother helping him like you do.
