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"Limpiar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to clean", and "un poco" is a phrase which is often translated as "a little". Learn more about the difference between "limpiar" and "un poco" below.
limpiar(
leem
-
pyahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. to clean
Hay que limpiar el baño, está asqueroso.We need to clean the bathroom. It is disgusting.
c. to wipe down
Después de cenar siempre limpio la mesa y las encimeras.After dinner, I always wipe down the table and the countertops.
d. to wipe off
Hay que limpiar la mesa antes de que vengan los invitados.The table needs to be wiped off before the guests arrive.
f. to cleanse (skin)
Esta loción limpia la piel sin secarla.This lotion cleanses the skin without drying it out.
2. (to remove)
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
limpiarse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
d. to clean oneself up
¿No vas a limpiarte un poco antes de salir?Aren't you going to clean yourself up a little before going out?
un poco(
oon
poh
-
koh
)A phrase is a group of words commonly used together (e.g., once upon a time).
a. a little
¿Le pones azúcar al café? - Solo ponle un poco.Do you want sugar in your coffee? - Just add a little.
b. some
Ha sobrado un poco. Lo podemos cenar esta noche.There's some left. We can have it for dinner tonight.
c. a bit (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
La conocía un poco del colegio.I knew her a bit from school.
b. a bit (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
¿Todavía te duele la cabeza? - Un poco, pero ya me siento mejor.Does your head still hurt? - A bit, but I'm feeling better now.
3. (fairly)
a. a little
Estoy un poco cansado, así que me voy a dormir la siesta.I'm a little tired, so I'm going to have a siesta.
b. a bit (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Es un poco tarde para llamar, ¿no crees?It's a bit late to call, don't you think?
