por casi

by almost

por casi(pohr kah-see)

phrase

1. (to indicate measurement)

a. by almost

El presupuesto se ha excedido por casi $500,000.

The budget is over by almost $500,000.

b. by nearly

El senador entrante ganó por casi mil votos.

The incoming senator won by nearly a thousand votes.

c. by hardly (in a negative sentence)

Ezra quería tomar sus propias decisiones y no se dejó influenciar por casi nadie.

Ezra wanted to make his own decisions and wouldn't let himself be influenced by hardly anyone.

d. for hardly (in a negative sentence)

Como bombero, Dan trabaja por casi nada porque le apasiona su trabajo.

As a firefighter, Dan works for hardly nothing because he's passionate about his job.

2. (to indicate duration)

a. for almost

He estado a dieta por casi una semana y no he bajado ni una sola libra.

I've been on a diet for almost a week and I haven't lost a single pound.

b. for nearly

He estado en la lista de espera de viviendas asequibles por casi cinco años.

I've been on the affordable-housing waiting list for nearly five years.