this
vs
a

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"This" is a pronoun which is often translated as "este", and "a" is an indefinite article which is often translated as "un". Learn more about the difference between "this" and "a" below.

this(

thihs

)

A pronoun is a word that stands in for a noun (e.g., she).

pronoun

1. (demonstrative)

a. este (masculine)

This is my father's car.Este es el coche de mi padre.

b. esta (feminine)

This is the skirt I wore last night.Esta es la falda que llevé anoche.

c. esto (neuter)

All my life I've been looking for this.Llevo toda mi vida buscando esto.

d. así

Is this enough for you or would you like a bigger piece?¿Así te llega o quieres un trozo más grande?

An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).

adjective

2. (demonstrative)

a. este (masculine)

This winter has been the coldest one in twenty years.Este invierno ha sido el más frío en veinte años.

b. esta (feminine)

This house brings back so many memories.Esta casa me trae tantos recuerdos.

An adverb is a word that describes a verb, an adjective, or other adverbs (e.g., to run quickly, very tired).

adverb

3. (very)

a. tan

I've never been this sick in my life.En mi vida había estado tan enfermo.

b. así de

The box was this big.La caja era así de grande.

)

An indefinite article is a word that indicates that a noun is not specific (e.g., a girl).

indefinite article

1. (singular article)

a. un (masculine)

Give me a pencil.Dame un lápiz.

b. una (feminine)

Can I have a pear?¿Me das una pera?

A preposition is a word that indicates the relationship between a noun and another word (e.g., He ran through the door.).

preposition

2. (per)

a. por

I am paid $85 a day.Me pagan $85 por día.

A noun is a word referring to a person, animal, place, thing, feeling, or idea (e.g., man, dog, house).

noun

3. (letter)

a. la a

(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).

(F)

My name starts with an A.Mi nombre empieza con una A.

4. (grade)

a. el sobresaliente

(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).

(M)

I got an A on all my exams.Saqué sobresaliente en todos los exámenes.

b. la A

(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).

(F)

If I get an A, my parents will buy me a new phone.Si saco una A, mis padres me comprarán un nuevo celular.

c. el 10

(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).

(M)

I was a good student. I used to get straight A's.Yo era un buen estudiante. Me sacaba siempre 10.

5. (music)

a. el la

(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).

(M)

Juan played an improvisation in A minor.Juan improvisó en la menor.

b. la A

(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).

(F)

Can you sing an A, please?¿Puedes cantar una A, por favor?

An abbreviation is the shortened form of a word or group of words (e.g., "UFO" = "unidentified flying object"; "p." = "page").

abbreviation

6. (ampere or amperes)

a. A

How many N is 1 A?¿A cuántos N equivale 1 A?

The intensity of this electric current is 10 A.La intensidad de esta corriente eléctrica es de 10 A.

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