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"Poco" is an adjective which is often translated as "little", and "a" is a preposition which is often translated as "to". Learn more about the difference between "poco" and "a" below.
poco(
poh
-
koh
)
An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
adjective
a. little
Nos queda muy poco vino para los invitados.We have very little wine left for the guests.
b. not much
Había poca agua caliente para la ducha.There wasn't much hot water to shower.
c. few (plural)
Pocos profesores dejan huella en sus alumnos como el señor Blanco.Few teachers make an impression on their students like Mr. Blanco.
d. not many (plural)
Pocas personas asistieron al funeral.Not many people went to the funeral.
An adverb is a word that describes a verb, an adjective, or other adverbs (e.g., to run quickly, very tired).
adverb
a.
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
no direct translation
Duerme muy poco los fines de semana.He doesn't sleep much on weekends.
Últimamente nos vemos muy poco.We don't see much of each other lately.
A pronoun is a word that stands in for a noun (e.g., she).
pronoun
a. little
Con lo poco que me quedaba, pude arreglarme.I was able to manage with the little I had left.
a. a little
Solo quiero un poco; estoy a dieta.I only want a little; I'm on a diet.
a. not long
Falta muy poco para las Navidades.It's not long till Christmas.
a.
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
no direct translation
Menos mal que pocos piensan como él.It's just as well not many people think like he does.
Hay pocos que se molestarían en ayudarlo como tú.There are few who would bother helping him like you do.
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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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