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"Usted" is a pronoun which is often translated as "you", and "a" is a preposition which is often translated as "to". Learn more about the difference between "usted" and "a" below.
usted(
oos
-
tehd
)A pronoun is a word that stands in for a noun (e.g., she).
1. (formal) (second person singular)
A word or phrase used to refer to the second person formal “usted” by their conjugation or implied context (e.g., usted).
ustedes
A pronoun is a word that stands in for a noun (e.g., she).
2. (second person plural) (Latin America)
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
3. (formal) (second person plural) (Spain)
A word or phrase used to refer to the second person formal “usted” by their conjugation or implied context (e.g., usted).
Regionalism used in Spain
a. you
Ustedes pueden dejar sus chaquetas en el vestuario y seguirme al comedor.You may leave your jackets in the coatroom and follow me to the dining room.
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.).
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Podía respirar a duras penas.He was hardly able to breathe.
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
¡A fregar los platos!Go do the dishes!
¡A la cama!Off to bed!
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Me encantaría ganar dinero a espuertas.I would love to earn lots of money.
Llovía a cántaros.It was pouring.
A feminine noun is almost always used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., la mujer bonita, la luna llena).
An abbreviation is the shortened form of a word or group of words (e.g., "UFO" = "unidentified flying object"; "p." = "page").
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.
