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"Tonto" is an adjective which is often translated as "stupid", and "a" is a preposition which is often translated as "to". Learn more about the difference between "tonto" and "a" below.
tonto(
tohn
-
toh
)
An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
adjective
a. stupid
Es tonta si se cree que su novio va a cambiar.She's stupid if she thinks her boyfriend is going to change.
b. dumb
No eres tonto. Es solo que el subjuntivo no es fácil de entender.You are not dumb. It's just that the subjunctive is not easy to understand.
a. silly
Siempre te vales de excusas tontas para no ir a visitar a tus abuelos.You always make silly excuses not to go visit your grandparents.
b. stupid
Fue un tonto error que nos costó caro.It was a stupid mistake for which we paid a high price.
This means that the noun can be masculine or feminine, depending on the gender of the noun it refers to (e.g., el doctor, la doctora).
masculine or feminine noun
a. idiot
Soy un tonto. Metí el vaquero en el lavarropa y la billetera estaba en el bolsillo.I'm such an idiot. I put the jeans in the washing machine and my wallet was in the pocket.
b. fool
Eres un verdadero tonto si dejas los estudios.You're a real fool if you abandon your studies.
a. silly
"Tonto, los leones marinos no son leones acuáticos," dijo Mónica sonriendo."Sea lions are not aquatic lions, silly," said Monica smiling.
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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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