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"Some" is a form of "some", an adjective which is often translated as "algún". "A few" is a phrase which is often translated as "algunos". Learn more about the difference between "some" and "a few" below.
some(
suhm
)An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
a. algún (with a masculine singular noun)
I have some time tomorrow if you want to discuss the proposal.Tengo algún tiempo mañana si quieres hablar de la propuesta.
b. alguna (with a feminine singular noun)
We need some idea of how many people might come.Necesitamos alguna idea de cuánta gente vendrá.
c. algunos (with a masculine plural noun)
I saw some shoes at the store that I liked but I wasn't sure about any of them.Vi algunos zapatos que me gustaron en la tienda pero nada que me convenció.
d. algunas (with a feminine plural noun)
We had some bottles of wine left over from the party if you want to take them home.Nos sobraron algunas botellas de vino de la fiesta si quieren llevárselas a casa.
e. unos (with a plural masculine noun)
I read some pretty interesting articles on the financial crisis.Leí unos artículos bastante interesantes sobre la crisis financiera.
g. algo de (with an uncountable noun)
I have some milk left in the fridge.Me queda algo de leche en la nevera.
a. bastante
There was still some distance to go before we reached land.Aún quedaba bastante distancia para recorrer antes de atracar.
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
She raised six children on her own. - That's some achievement!Ella sola crió a seis hijos. - ¡Qué logro!
That was some show you put on.Vaya que ese show que hiciste estuvo bueno.
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
My girlfriend stole my car. - Some friend she turned out to be!Mi novia me robó el coche. - ¡Qué buena amiga resultó ser!
We only get five vacation days a year? Some benefits this job has!¿Solo recibimos cinco días de vacaciones en un año? ¡Vaya beneficios que tiene este trabajo!
A pronoun is a word that stands in for a noun (e.g., she).
a. un poco
I made fish for dinner. Would you like to try some to see if you like it?Preparé pescado para la cena. ¿Quieres probar un poco a ver si te gusta?
a. algunos (masculine or mixed gender) (plural)
A word or phrase used to refer to a group including masculine words or both masculine and feminine words (e.g., bienvenidos).
A word or phrase that is plural (e.g., los libros).
Some say that Eric is responsible for the robbery.Algunos dicen que Eric es responsable del robo.
b. algunas (feminine) (plural)
A word or phrase that is feminine (e.g., la manzana).
A word or phrase that is plural (e.g., los libros).
Are all your friends going on the march? - Some, not all.¿Irán todas tus amigas a la marcha? - Algunas, no todas.
c. unos (masculine or mixed gender) (plural)
A word or phrase used to refer to a group including masculine words or both masculine and feminine words (e.g., bienvenidos).
A word or phrase that is plural (e.g., los libros).
Are any of the neighbors planning Christmas parties? - There are some who have been working on it.¿Hay vecinos que están planeando fiestas navideñas? - Unos sí han estado trabajando en eso.
d. unas (feminine) (plural)
A word or phrase that is feminine (e.g., la manzana).
A word or phrase that is plural (e.g., los libros).
I thought all my friends were on Instagram, but some aren't.Pensé que todas mis amigas estaban en Instagram, pero hay unas que no.
a. algunos (masculine or mixed gender) (plural)
A word or phrase used to refer to a group including masculine words or both masculine and feminine words (e.g., bienvenidos).
A word or phrase that is plural (e.g., los libros).
Some of the glasses were broken when I opened the box.Algunos de los vasos estaban rotos cuando abrí la caja.
b. algunas (feminine) (plural)
A word or phrase that is feminine (e.g., la manzana).
A word or phrase that is plural (e.g., los libros).
Some of the strawberries have gone bad already.Algunas de las fresas ya están pasadas.
c. unos pocos (masculine or mixed gender) (plural)
A word or phrase used to refer to a group including masculine words or both masculine and feminine words (e.g., bienvenidos).
A word or phrase that is plural (e.g., los libros).
I don't have any beans left. - I can give you some.No me quedan frijoles. - Yo te puedo dar unos pocos.
d. unas pocas (feminine) (plural)
A word or phrase that is feminine (e.g., la manzana).
A word or phrase that is plural (e.g., los libros).
We have too many apples this year. Would you like some?Nos sobran manzanas este año. ¿Quieres unas pocas?
e. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
I don't have any money. Can you lend me some?No tengo dinero. ¿Me prestas?
Some of the book was interesting, but mostly it was boring.Partes del libro eran interesantes, pero mayormente fue aburrido.
An adverb is a word that describes a verb, an adjective, or other adverbs (e.g., to run quickly, very tired).
a. unos
Some 200 people lost their lives in the train derailment.Unas 200 personas fallecieron en el descarrilamiento del tren.
a. un poco
I need to rest some before we go out tonight.Necesito descansar un poco antes de que salgamos esta noche.
b. un ratito (when referring to time)
We chatted some, then I made dinner.Platicamos un ratito, luego preparé la cena.
a few(
uh
fyu
)A phrase is a group of words commonly used together (e.g., once upon a time).
a. algunos
Many sleeping pills stop working after a few hours.Muchas pastillas para dormir dejan de funcionar después de algunas horas.
b. unos
Do you have a few minutes after class to chat?¿Tienes unos minutos después de la clase para hablar?
d. unos cuantos
Are there many tomatoes left? - No, there are just a few.¿Quedan muchos tomates? - No, solo hay unos cuantos.
