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"Roughly" is an adverb which is often translated as "aproximadamente", and "about" is a preposition which is often translated as "sobre". Learn more about the difference between "roughly" and "about" below.
roughly(
ruhf
-
li
)An adverb is a word that describes a verb, an adjective, or other adverbs (e.g., to run quickly, very tired).
1. (about)
a. aproximadamente
Roughly how many marbles do you think are in the jar?¿Aproximadamente cuántas canicas crees que hay en el frasco?
b. más o menos
This university accepts roughly 12,000 new students a year.Esta universidad admite más o menos 12.000 nuevos estudianes cada año.
2. (generally)
a. en líneas generales
The philosophy teacher roughly explained the concept of "society" to us on the first day of class.El profesor de filosofía nos explicó en líneas generales el concepto de "sociedad" en el primer día de clase.
3. (not gently)
a. bruscamente
Don't play so roughly with him. He's just a child.No juegues tan bruscamente con él. Es solo un niño.
b. de manera violenta
The young woman said police treated her roughly and mocked her after her arrest.La joven dijo que la policía la trató de manera violenta y se burló de ella después del arresto.
4. (crudely)
a. toscamente
Her suit was roughly made and the seams were showing.Su traje estaba confeccionado toscamente, y se veían las costuras.
5. (culinary)
a. en trozos grandes
Roughly chop the carrots and potatoes before adding them to the stew.Corte las zanahorias y papas en trozos grandes antes de añadirlas al guiso.
about(
uh
-
baut
)A preposition is a word that indicates the relationship between a noun and another word (e.g., He ran through the door.).
1. (concerning)
a. sobre
The movie we saw last night was about World War I.La película que vimos anoche era sobre la Primera Guerra Mundial.
b. acerca de
That new series about petroleum is fascinating.Esa nueva serie acerca del petróleo es fascinante.
d. por
My husband hasn't been feeling well lately. I'm worried about him.Mi esposo no se encuentra bien últimamente. Estoy preocupada por él.
e. a propósito de
Me gustaría hablar contigo a propósito del nuevo proyecto.I'd like to have a chat with you about the new project.
a. en
There is something about his expression that intrigued me.Hay algo en su expresión que me intrigaba.
3. (literary) (around)
A word or phrase restricted in usage to literature or established writing (e.g., sex, once upon a time).
a. alrededor de
The girl put her arm about her teddy bear.La niña puso el brazo alrededor de su oso de peluche.
4. (engaged in)
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Since you're about it, will you make me some tea?Ya que estás en ello, ¿me preparas una taza de té?
While I'm about it, I'll ask our neighbor to watch the cat while we're away.De paso, le pediré a la vecina que nos cuide el gato mientras estamos fuera.
An adverb is a word that describes a verb, an adjective, or other adverbs (e.g., to run quickly, very tired).
a. aproximadamente
There are about 40 guests in the hotel.Hay aproximadamente 40 huéspedes en el hotel.
b. alrededor de
The trout Alexander caught weighed about 55 pounds.La trucha que pescó Alexander pesaba alrededor de 55 libras.
c. más o menos
It was about 10 am when the doctor called.Eran más o menos las 10 am cuando llamó el doctor.
d. unos (with masculine nouns)
There must have been about 50 guests at the reception.Habría unos 50 invitados en la recepción.
e. unas (with feminine nouns)
My neighbor has about 10 or 12 candles in the window which she lights in the evenings.Mi vecina tendrá unas 10 o 12 velas en la ventana que enciende por las noches.
a. por todas partes
There was candy all about after the Halloween party.Había dulces por todas partes después de la fiesta de Halloween.
b. de un lado a otro
The cat was running about like a madman all over the house.El gato corría de un lado a otro como un loco por toda la casa.
