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"To" is a preposition which is often translated as "a", and "not to" is a phrase which is often translated as "por no". Learn more about the difference between "to" and "not to" below.
to(
tu
)
A preposition is a word that indicates the relationship between a noun and another word (e.g., He ran through the door.).
preposition
a. a
I'm going to your house.Voy a tu casa.
b. hacia
She walked to the woods.Caminó hacia el bosque.
a. hasta
I would run to your house right now just to see you!¡Correría hasta tu casa ahora mismo solo para verte!
a. a
I just came to say hello.Solo vine a saludar.
a. de
All of those books belonged to my grandfather.Todos estos libros eran de mi abuelo.
a. menos
It is a quarter to six.Son las seis menos cuarto.
a. por
The birth ratio is 107 boys to 100 girls.La proporción de nacimientos es de 107 niños por 100 niñas.
a. a
Variable A is greater or equal to variable B.La variable A es mayor o igual a la variable B.
a. para
To my surprise, he did not recognize me.Para mi sorpresa, él no me reconoció.
a. por
Here's to the birthday girl! Cheers!¡Por la cumpleañera! ¡Salud!
a. a
Turn to the left to exit.Gira a la izquierda para salir.
a.
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
no direct translation
I learned to drive when I was 17.Aprendí a manejar a los 17 años.
We need to work faster.Tenemos que trabajar más rápido.
a.
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
no direct translation
I didn't want to tell you but I felt I had to.No quería decírtelo pero me vi obligada a hacerlo.
It's my party and I'll cry if I want to.Es mi fiesta y lloraré si quiero.
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not to(
nat
 
tu
)
A phrase is a group of words commonly used together (e.g., once upon a time).
phrase
a. por no
The expedition will be risky, not to mention the cost!La expedición será arriesgada, ¡por no hablar del costo!
a. no
Lara's parents warned her not to go to a party where she didn't know anyone.Los padres de Lara le advirtieron que no fuera a una fiesta donde no conocía a nadie.
b. no quiero
Not to be mean, but Mary really should do something with her hair.No quiero ser mala pero a Mary le vendría bien un corte de pelo nuevo.
Copyright © 2025 Dictionary Media Group, Inc.