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"Un poco" is a phrase which is often translated as "a little", and "ser" is a copular verb which is often translated as "to be". Learn more about the difference between "un poco" and "ser" 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?
ser(
sehr
)A copular verb links the subject of a clause to the predicate (e.g., My brother is tall).
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
a. to be made of
El casillero antiguo de mi abuela es de roble.My grandma's antique dresser is made of oak.
a. to root for
Yo soy del mejor equipo del mundo: FC Barcelona.I root for the best team in the world: FC Barcelona.
An impersonal verb is a verb with no apparent subject (e.g., Llueve en España.).
a. to be
Son las siete de la mañana.It is seven in the morning.
Era de noche cuando llegaron.It was night when they arrived.
An auxiliary verb, or helper verb, is a conjugated verb that comes before a main verb and determines the main verb's tense, mood, or aspect (e.g., I have gone.).
a. to be
El edificio fue diseñado por un equipo de arquitectos.The building was built by a team of architects.
A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
