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"Alto" is a form of "alto", an adjective which is often translated as "tall". "Estar alegre" is an intransitive verb phrase which is often translated as "to be happy". Learn more about the difference between "estar alegre" and "alto" below.
estar alegre(
ehs
-
tahr
ah
-
leh
-
greh
)An intransitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and does not require a direct object (e.g., Everybody please stand up.).
a. to be happy
Estoy alegre porque mañana regresa mi hermano de Francia.I'm happy because my brother comes back from France tomorrow.
b. to be cheerful
¿Por qué estás tan alegre hoy? - Enrique me confesó su amor.Why are you so cheerful today? - Enrique confessed his love for me.
2. (colloquial) (to be slightly drunk)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
a. to be tipsy
Yo estaba alegre porque había bebido dos copas de vino.I was tipsy because I had drunk two glasses of wine.
alto(
ahl
-
toh
)An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
1. (height)
2. (level)
3. (sound)
a. loud
La música estaba tan alta que no podíamos conversar.The music was so loud that we couldn't talk.
4. (geography)
5. (history)
a. high
La iglesia se convirtió en una institución unificadora en la Alta Edad Media.The church became a unifying institution in the High Middle Ages.
a. high
El alto antiguo alemán se hablaba en zonas de Alemania hasta el siglo X u XI.The Old High German was spoken in areas of Germany until the 10th or 11th century.
An adverb is a word that describes a verb, an adjective, or other adverbs (e.g., to run quickly, very tired).
A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
10. (break)
a. stop
Haremos un alto para tomar un café y usar el baño.We will make a stop to have a coffee and use the restroom.
11. (architecture)
a. top floor
Un ático es un apartamento en el alto de un edificio.A penthouse is an apartment on the top floor of a building.
a. length
Tengo que calcular el alto de tela que necesito para hacer una falda.I have to calculate the length of fabric that I need to make a skirt.
14. (automobile)
a. lights
El conductor no vio el alto y atropelló a un peatón que cruzaba la carretera.The driver didn't see the lights, and ran over a pedestrian crossing the road.
An interjection is a short utterance that expresses emotion, hesitation, or protest (e.g., Wow!).
a. stop
¡Alto! No pueden entrar en ese ala del hospital sin traje para protección contra materiales peligrosos.Stop! You can't go into that wing of the hospital without a hazmat suit.
