(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).

(M)

I've got a bit of land on the coast.Tengo un pedazo de terreno en la costa.

b. el trozo

(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).

(M)

There's a bit of cake there if you'd like it.Hay un trozo de pastel allí si lo quieres.

2. (small amount of something; used with "a")

a. un poco

Can I have a bit of your spaghetti, please?¿Me das un poco de tu espagueti, por favor?

3. (part)

a. la parte

(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).

(F)

This is the bit in the film where the knight saves the princess.Esta es la parte de la película en la que el caballero rescata a la princesa.

4. (little while; used with "a")

a. el rato

(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).

(M)

I'm going grocery shopping. I'll be back in a bit.Voy a hacer la compra. Vuelvo en un rato.

b. el momento

(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).

(M)

We went into a café for a bit to talk.Entramos en un café un momento para hablar.

5. (computing)

a. el bit

(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).

(M)

A bit is a tiny measurement of digital space.Un bit es una medida minúscula de espacio digital.

6. (responsibility)

a. la parte

(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).

(F)

There are a lot of dishes here. I've done my bit; now it's your turn.Aquí hay muchos platos. He cumplido mi parte; ahora te toca a ti.

7. (horseback riding)

a. el freno

(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).

(M)

I'll show you how to properly insert the bit into the horse's mouth.Te enseñaré a introducir bien el freno en la boca del caballo.

b. el bocado

(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).

(M)

The bit is attached to the reins, giving you control over the horse's movements.El bocado está atado a las riendas, lo que permite controlar los movimientos del caballo.

8. (tool)

a. la broca

(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).

(F)

I think I'm going to buy my dad a set of drill bits.Creo que voy a comprarle un juego de brocas para el taladro a mi papá.

b. la barrena

(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).

(F)

The drill comes with several different types of bits.El taladro viene con varios tipos de barrena.

9. (film, theater, television)

a. el sketch

(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).

(M)

I love the bit about Prince and a basketball game.Me encanta el sketch acerca de Prince y un partido de basquetbol.

b. la rutina

(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).

(F)

This bit is so funny!¡Esa rutina da mucha risa!

10. (set of customary actions)

This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.

no direct translation

Angela is in France, doing the whole study abroad bit.Angela está en Francia, haciendo lo que se hace cuando estudias en el extranjero.

The housewife bit just isn't for me.Lo de ser ama de casa no es lo mío.

11. (woman)

a. la tipa

(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).

(F)

I hear Josh has another bit on the side.Me dijeron que Josh ya anda con otra tipa.

b. la tía

(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).

(F)

Look at her! She's a bit of all right!¡Mira esa de ahí! ¡Está buena, la tía!

12. (currency)

a. la moneda

(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).

(F)

I saw a 10p bit on the ground, so I picked it up.Había una moneda de diez peniques en el suelo, así que la cogí.

13. (currency)

a. moneda de doce centavos y medio

When I was younger, my grandmother used to give me one bit for helping her clean.Cuando era pequeño, mi abuela me daba una moneda de doce centavos y medio por ayudarla a limpiar.

An adverb is a word that describes a verb, an adjective, or other adverbs (e.g. to run quickly, very tired).

adverb

14. (somewhat; used with "a")

a. un poco

Sam can be a bit thick, but he's a good guy.Sam puede ser un poco torpe, pero es buen tío.

A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g. I bought a book.).

transitive verb

15. (horseback riding)

a. ponerle el freno a

Bitting a horse is probably the most difficult part of taming it.Ponerle el freno al caballo es probablemente la parte más difícil de su doma.

b. ponerle el bocado a

When the cowboy bitted the horse, it reared up.Cuando el vaquero le puso el brocado al caballo, este se encabritó.

16. (to restrain)

a. contener

Unable to bit his anger, he pounced on the other man and started punching him.No pudiendo contener su ira, se abalanzó sobre el otro hombre y empezó a darle puñetazos.

b. reprimir

The bad temper the boy displayed in the first years of his life was bitted by his strict upbringing.El mal carácter del que el niño hizo gala en los primeros años de su vida fue reprimido por una educación severa.

bit

bit [bɪt]

noun

1 (piece) trozo (m); pedazo (m)

bits of paper trozos (m) or pedazos (m) de papel; have you got a bit of paper I can write on? ¿tienes un trozo de papel para escribir?

a marriage certificate is only a bit of paper

he washed off every bit of dirt se lavó hasta la última mancha de suciedad

in bits (broken) hecho pedazos; (dismantled) desmontado; desarmado

who owns this bit of land? ¿a quién pertenece este trozo or pedazo de tierra?

bits and pieces (items) cosas (f); (possessions) cosas (f); trastos (informal) (m); [of fabric] retales (m); retazos (m)

discarded bits and pieces of hotel furniture a few bits and pieces of cosmetics and a handful of books bring all your bits and pieces I didn't realise you had so many bits and bobs she packed her bags and her books and the few bits and pieces she had collected the quilt was sewn together from bits and pieces of fabric to form patterns

to bits: to blow sth to bits hacer saltar algo en pedazos; volar algo en pedazos

to come to bits (break) hacerse pedazos; (be dismantled) desmontarse; desarmarse; to smash sth to bits hacer algo añicos or pedazos

she found the jug smashed to bits

to tear sth to bits [+letter, document] romper algo en pedazos; the dogs tear the fox to bits los perros destrozan al zorro; she tore the argument to bits hizo pedazos el argumento

by tearing each other to bits our countries are playing into the hands of the Americans many of the rats had to be kept apart if they were not to tear each other to bits that film would frighten her to bits

to love sb to bits querer un montón a algn (informal)

the professor pulled his essay to bits el profesor destrozó su trabajo

he was thrilled to bits with the present estaba que no cabía en sí (de alegría) con el regalo; el regalo le hizo muchísima ilusión

she was thrilled to bits

a bit of

(some) un poco de

with a bit of luck con un poco de suerte; a bit of advice un consejo; I need a bit of peace and quiet necesito un poco de paz y tranquilidad; what you say won't make a bit of difference digas lo que digas no va a cambiar nada; this is a bit of all right! ¡esto está muy bien!; ¡esto no está nada mal!; he's a bit of all right ese está buenísimo or para comérselo (informal)

a bit of [all right] you describe someone or something as a bit of all right when you think they are very attractive, pleasant, or good this meal's a bit of all right, isn't it?

(rather)

he's a bit of a liar es bastante or un poco mentiroso; it was a bit of a shock fue un golpe bastante duro; I've got a bit of a cold estoy un poco resfriado; I'm a bit of a socialist yo tengo algo de socialista

it's all a bit of a mess students are always portrayed as a bit of a joke it came as a bit of a disappointment I'm a bit of a musician

quite a bit of bastante

they have quite a bit of money tienen bastante dinero; I've been seeing quite a bit of her la he estado viendo bastante

there may be quite a bit of work in it for you it takes up quite a bit of my time

3 (adverbial uses)

a bit un poco

a bit bigger/smaller un poco más grande/pequeño; a bit later poco después; un poco más tarde; that sounds a bit technical eso suena un poco técnico; it's a bit awkward just now ahora no es buen momento

their house is just a bit further down the road the young girl was a bit strange a bit too little

bit by bit poco a poco

our performance was every bit as good as theirs nuestra actuación fue tan buena como la suya en todos los aspectos

she swept into the room, every bit the actress entró majestuosamente en la habitación, muy en su papel de actriz; he looked every bit the angelic child tenía toda la pinta or todo el aspecto de un niño angelical

good manners are every bit as important as a smart appearance my jacket is every bit as good as his in his school uniform, he looked every bit the angelic child

a good bit bastante

it's a good bit further than we thought queda bastante más lejos de lo que creíamos; a good bit bigger/cheaper bastante más grande/barato

a good bit cheaper

would you like a little bit more? ¿quieres un poquito más?

a little bit dearer

that's a bit much! ¡eso pasa de castaño oscuro!

it's a bit much expecting you to take the blame es demasiado esperar que tú asumas la culpa

it's a bit much [when] ...

not a bit

I'm not a bit surprised no me sorprende lo más mínimo or en absoluto; "wasn't he embarrassed?" — "not a bit of it" —¿y no le daba vergüenza? —qué va (informal) or —en absoluto

that's not a bit of help "are you tired?" - "not a bit!" did he give up? not a bit of it

quite a bit bastante

they're worth quite a bit valen bastante; he's quite a bit older than me es bastante mayor que yo

that must take quite a bit of courage things have changed quite a bit

I've had a bit too much to eat me he pasado un poco comiendo; he comido un poco más de la cuenta

4 (part) parte (f)

he'd just got to the exciting bit acababa de llegar a la parte emocionante; to enjoy every bit of sth disfrutar algo totalmente

I loved your letter, especially the bits about Dr O'Shea "Where was I?""You were at the bit where you and Christopher were on the bus." the crowded bits of Spain

5 (Britain) (role)

she's doing the prima donna bit está haciendo su papel de diva; it's important not to overdo the motherly bit es importante no ser excesivamente maternal

she wanted the whole marriage bit

to do one's bit aportar su granito de arena

we must all do our bit to put an end to starvation in the Third World para erradicar el hambre en el Tercer Mundo todos debemos aportar nuestro granito de arena; he did his bit in the war durante la guerra cumplió con su deber; I've done my bit yo he hecho mi parte or lo que me tocaba

I'm willing to do my bit but I'm not going to be taken advantage of he did his bit for King and Country

6 (moment) rato (m); momento (m)

I'll see you in a bit te veo dentro de un momento or dentro de un ratito

I waited quite a bit esperé bastante tiempo or un buen rato

so I waited a bit they'll be arriving in a bit that filing should keep you busy for a bit let's stay here for a bit wait a bit!

7 (coin) (Britain) moneda (f); (US) (12.5 cents) doce centavos y medio

a tuppenny bit una moneda de dos peniques; two bits (US) 25 centavos; for two bits I'd throw it all in por dos duros lo dejaría todo; he was always throwing in his two bits about how he'd put the economy to rights siempre estaba dando su opinión or echando su cuarto a espadas sobre cómo arreglaría la economía

8 (Comput) bit (m)

9 (Britain) (woman) tía (f) (informal); (Esp)

a bit on the [side] a mistress or woman with whom a man has sex while he has a relationship with someone else, or is married to someone else she was fed up of being his bit on the side he didn't grudge her a bit on the side now and then a bit of [stuff] a sexually attractive woman I saw him with his bit of stuff the other day

side

modifier

bit part (n) (Cine) (Teat) papel (m) de poca importancia; papel (m) pequeño

bit [bɪt]

noun

1 [of drill] broca (f)

2 (for horse) freno (m); bocado (m)

to be champing or chomping at the bit

I expect you're champing or chomping at the bit supongo que te devora la impaciencia; they were champing or chomping at the bit to get started no veían la hora de poner manos a la obra

the Democrats are champing at the bit to get settled in to the White House his clients were chomping at the bit to get a piece of this deal we were all just chomping at the bit to really discuss some issues the England captain is now chomping at the bit for a slice of the World Cup action

to get the bit between one's teeth

once she gets the bit between her teeth, there's no stopping her una vez que se pone en marcha no hay quien la pare

once she gets the bit between her teeth, horses have nothing on Sue the Tories have got the bit between their teeth and they'll pounce on anything that looks like waffle she's a persistent little bugger when she gets the bit between her teeth it will be difficult to dissuade him now - he's really got the bit between his teeth he accused the Roosevelt administration of having the bit between its teeth and being hell-bent on its way to war

bit [bɪt]

bite

Word Roots

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Examples

Word Forms

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Phrases

a little bit	un poco
just a little bit	solo un poco
drill bit	la broca
I speak a little bit of Spanish	hablo un poco de español
a bit of	un poco de
quite a bit	bastante
a little bit of	un poco de
yes, but only a little bit	sí, pero solo un poco
a bit too much	un poco de más
yes, but just a little bit	sí, pero solo un poquito
stay classy, sassy and a bit bad assy	no pierdas el estilo, la picardía ni la actitud
I understand a little bit of Spanish	entiendo un poco de español
little bit	un poco
A big black bug bit a big black dog on his big black nose.	El bebé bebe bebidas con burbujas.
a tiny bit	un tris
classy, sassy, and a bit smart-assy	distinguida, descarada y un poco sabionda
always classy, never trashy, and a little bit sassy	siempre con clase, elegante y un poco desafiante
I will call you in a little bit	te voy a llamar en un ratito
see you in a bit	nos vemos ahorita
for a bit	un rato