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"Mucho" is an adjective which is often translated as "a lot of", and "a" is a preposition which is often translated as "to". Learn more about the difference between "mucho" and "a" below.
mucho(
moo
-
choh
)
An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
adjective
a. a lot of
Hay mucha gente en la playa hoy.There are a lot of people at the beach today.
b. much (used with uncountable nouns)
¿Hay mucho desempleo en esa área?Is there much unemployment in that area?
c. many (used with plural nouns)
No hay muchas habitaciones en este hotel.There aren't many rooms in this hotel.
a. too much (used with uncountable nouns)
Es mucha responsabilidad para un niño tan joven.It's too much responsibility for such a young child.
b. too many (used with plural nouns)
Me diste muchas naranjas; solo quiero unas pocas.You gave me too many oranges; I only want a few.
A pronoun is a word that stands in for a noun (e.g., she).
pronoun
a. a lot
¿Queda mucho por hacer?Is there a lot left to do?
b. much (replaces an uncountable noun)
¿Quieres que compre queso? - Sí, no queda mucho.Do you want me to buy cheese. - Yes, there isn't much left.
c. many (replaces a plural noun)
¿Todavía hay flores en el jardín? - Sí, muchas sobrevivieron la sequía.Are there still flowers in the garden? - Yes, many survived the drought.
d. plenty
¿Quieres llevarte algunas manzanas? Tenemos muchas.Would you like to take some apples with you? We have plenty.
An adverb is a word that describes a verb, an adjective, or other adverbs (e.g., to run quickly, very tired).
adverb
a. a lot
Estudia mucho, pero le cuesta mucho la escuela.He studies a lot, but he finds school hard.
b. much
Me sentí mucho mejor después de dormir bien.I felt much better after sleeping well.
a. a long time
Mi esposo se tarda mucho en bañarse.My husband always takes a long time to shower.
a. much
No corro mucho, pero sí me gusta.I don't run much, but I do like it.
a. hard
Los obreros de la construcción trabajan mucho.Construction workers work hard.
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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.).
preposition
a. to
Ve a tu habitación.Go to your room.
a. to
A la izquierda puedes ver el parque.To your left you can see the park.
a. at
Saldremos al amanecer.We will leave at dawn.
a.
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
no direct translation
Podía respirar a duras penas.He was hardly able to breathe.
a. to
No te olvides de escribir a tus abuelos.Don't forget to write to your grandparents.
a.
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
no direct translation
¡A fregar los platos!Go do the dishes!
¡A la cama!Off to bed!
a.
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
no direct translation
Me encantaría ganar dinero a espuertas.I would love to earn lots of money.
Llovía a cántaros.It was pouring.
a. to
Vino a saludar.He came to say hello.
a. per
Trabajo ocho horas al día.I work eight hours per day.
A feminine noun is almost always used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., la mujer bonita, la luna llena).
feminine noun
a. a
Ese adjetivo debe terminar con una a.That adjective should end in an a.
a. A
El pianista tocó una A.The pianist played an A.
An abbreviation is the shortened form of a word or group of words (e.g., "UFO" = "unidentified flying object"; "p." = "page").
abbreviation
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.
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