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"Para" is a form of "para", a preposition which is often translated as "for". "Un poco" is a phrase which is often translated as "a little". Learn more about the difference between "un poco" and "para" below.
un poco(
oon
poh
-
koh
)A phrase is a group of words commonly used together (e.g., once upon a time).
a. a little
¿Le pones azúcar al café? - Solo ponle un poco.Do you want sugar in your coffee? - Just add a little.
b. some
Ha sobrado un poco. Lo podemos cenar esta noche.There's some left. We can have it for dinner tonight.
c. a bit (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
La conocía un poco del colegio.I knew her a bit from school.
b. a bit (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
¿Todavía te duele la cabeza? - Un poco, pero ya me siento mejor.Does your head still hurt? - A bit, but I'm feeling better now.
3. (fairly)
a. a little
Estoy un poco cansado, así que me voy a dormir la siesta.I'm a little tired, so I'm going to have a siesta.
b. a bit (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Es un poco tarde para llamar, ¿no crees?It's a bit late to call, don't you think?
para(
pah
-
rah
)A preposition is a word that indicates the relationship between a noun and another word (e.g., He ran through the door.).
a. for
Lo hice para ti.I did it for you.
Estas vitaminas son para niños.These vitamins are for children.
b. in order to (used before an infinitive)
Para ser salvavidas, tienes que saber nadar muy bien.In order to be a lifeguard, you have to know how to swim really well.
c. to (used before base form)
Le pedí dinero a mi abuela para aprender a cantar.I asked my grandma for money to learn to sing.
