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"Mucho" is an adjective which is often translated as "a lot of", and "poner" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to put". Learn more about the difference between "mucho" and "poner" 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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poner(
poh
-
nehr
)
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
transitive verb
a. to put
¿Dónde pones las llaves?Where do you put the keys?
b. to add
Si pones más peso, se romperá.If you add more weight, it will break.
2.
A phrase used as a figure of speech or a word that is symbolic in meaning; metaphorical (e.g., carrot, bean).
(figurative)
(to cause to be)
a. to put
Su renuncia me pone en una situación difícil.His resignation puts me in a difficult position.
a. to put on
Después de bañar a la bebé, hay que ponerle ropa limpia.After giving the baby a bath, you have to put some clean clothes on her.
a. to put
Es lógico que pongan allí un colegio nuevo.It makes sense to put a new school there.
a. to send
El mensaje que le puso era simple.The message he sent her was simple.
a. to give
Mi profesor me puso mala nota.My professor gave me a bad grade.
a. to lay
Las gallinas ponen un huevo al día.Hens lay one egg a day.
a. to put in
Podemos alquilar ese sitio si todos ponemos algo de dinero.We can rent the place if everybody puts in some cash.
a. to put on
Pon la televisión para ver las noticias.Put the television on to watch the news.
b. to turn on
¿Ponemos la calefacción?Shall we turn the heating on?
a. to call
Si tengo un niño le pondré Manuel, que es el nombre de mi padre.If I have a boy, I'll call him Manuel, which is my father's name.
b. to give
¿Qué nombre le van a poner a la niña? - Todavía no lo sabemos.What name are you going to give your baby? - We don't know yet.
a. to open
Sandy y su esposo van a poner una panadería en la calle principal.Sandy and her husband are going to open a bakery on main street.
ponerse
A reflexive verb is a verb that indicates that the subject performs an action on itself (e.g., Miguel se lava.).
reflexive verb
a. to get
No te pongas impaciente conmigo cuando no has hecho nada para ayudar.Don't get impatient with me when you haven't done anything to help.
b. to be
No te pongas triste, cariño. Todo se arreglará.Don't be sad, sweetie. Everything will work out.
c.
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
no direct translation
Me pongo furiosa con pensarlo.It makes me mad to think about it.
El perro siempre se pone feliz al verte.The dog's always happy to see you.
a. to turn
Se pone blando cuando se cocina.It turns soft when cooked.
a. to put on
Ponte la gabardina, está lloviendo.Put your raincoat on. It's raining.
a. to wear
Ya nunca me pongo ese vestido porque se ha quedado muy anticuado.I don't wear that dress anymore because it's very old-fashioned.
a. to move
Ponte un poco más a la derecha.Move a little more to the right.
a. to set
El sol se pone y entonces cae la noche.The sun sets and then night falls.
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