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"Mucho" is an adjective which is often translated as "a lot of", and "bastante" is an adjective which is often translated as "enough". Learn more about the difference between "mucho" and "bastante" below.
mucho(
moo
-
choh
)An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
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.
2. (in excess)
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).
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).
bastante(
bahs
-
tahn
-
teh
)An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
a. quite a lot of
Nos deben bastante dinero y se niegan a pagarnos.They owe us quite a lot of money and they refuse to pay.
b. quite
Durante el invierno hace bastante frío en esta oficina.In the winter, it is quite cold in this office.
c. a fair amount of
La dirección de la empresa está sometida a bastante presión por parte de los sindicatos.The company management is under a fair amount of pressure from the unions.
d. plenty of
Trae bastantes sillas porque somos muchos.Bring plenty of chairs because there are quite a lot of us.
A pronoun is a word that stands in for a noun (e.g., she).
a. enough
¿No quieres ver la segunda parte del programa? - No, gracias. Ya he visto bastante. Es aburridísimo.Don't you want to see the second part of the program? - No, thank you. I've seen enough. It's really boring.
a. quite a lot
¿Hay pan? - Sí, bastante. Creo que compré demasiado.Is there any bread? - Yes, quite a lot. I think I bought too much.
An adverb is a word that describes a verb, an adjective, or other adverbs (e.g., to run quickly, very tired).
a. enough
Esta ciudad no es lo bastante grande para los dos.This town isn't big enough for the two of us.
a. quite a lot
¿Qué te parece la novela? - Me gusta bastante.What do you think of the novel? - I like it quite a lot.
b. quite
Mi hermana es bastante delgada, pero no tanto como mi madre.My sister is quite thin, but not as thin as my mother.
c. fairly
La hermana de mi novia puede tocar el piano bastante bien.My girlfriend's sister can play the piano fairly well.