vs
QUICK ANSWER
"Moreno" is an adjective which is often translated as "dark-skinned", and "a" is a preposition which is often translated as "to". Learn more about the difference between "moreno" and "a" below.
moreno(
moh
-
reh
-
noh
)An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
1. (skin)
b. dark
Este color de pintalabios es ideal para mujeres con piel morena.This lipstick color is perfect for women with dark skin.
2. (hair)
a. dark-haired
Mi hija es morena y mi hijo es rubio.My daughter is dark-haired and my son is blonde.
b. dark
Me gustan los chicos con pelo moreno y ojos azules.I like boys with dark hair and blue eyes.
3. (culinary)
b. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
¿Cómo haces para ponerte tan moreno?How do you get so brown?
Me puse morena después de un par de días en la playa.I got a tan after two days at the beach.
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 masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
a. tan
¿Qué puedo hacer para mantener el moreno por más tiempo?What can I do to make my tan last longer?
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.