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In Spanish we use the word "poco" in different ways to express an indefinite quantity of something or to express infrequency but sometimes it is difficult to distinguish between "poco" and "un poco".
For example:
Notice how in the first case, in English the literal translation doesn't work well, so it is generally translated as a negative sentence (not much).
Let's see other examples:
You can emphasise the quantity by adding muy:
In all the examples above, poco and un poco accompany verbs, as adverbs they are invariable.
Let's see how they work as adjectives when accompanying nouns.
Poco/-a/-os/-as + nouns
Come poca grasa. No es bueno para tu colesterol.Don't eat too much fat [lit: eat little fat]. It is not good for your cholesterol.
As you can see in the examples above poco agrees in gender and number with the noun it accompanies (poco alcohol, poca grasa, pocos amigos, pocas cervezas).
Un poco de + nouns in singular
Notice how we add "de" to express "a bit of something". Even when accompanying nouns, it is invariable in the singular, so it does not change to una poca de with feminine singular nouns.
Pon una poca de sal en el guiso.
Pon un poco de sal en el guiso.
Put a bit of salt in the stew.
la sal = the salt
Unos pocos/unas pocas de + nouns in plural
See how with plural nouns we drop the "de".
Voy de viaje con unas pocas de amigas de la universidad.
When we use unos pocos/unas pocas + noun it has the same meaning as "algunos/algunas" (some).
Voy con algunas amigas de la universidad.
See also:
- Using demasiado, bastante, suficiente, poco, tanto and mucho to express quantity in Spanish (quantitative adjectives)
- Using demasiado, bastante, suficiente, poco, tanto and mucho to express quantity in Spanish (quantitative pronouns)
- Using demasiado, bastante, un poco, mucho, tan, tanto and muy for too, quite, a bit, so, so much and very in Spanish (quantitative adverbs)
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Examples and resources
A mediodía yo como un poco y después sigo trabajando.At midday I eat a bit and then keep on working.
Quedan pocas cervezas en la nevera.There aren't many beers left in the fridge. [lit: there are few beers left]
Voy de viaje con unas pocas amigas de la universidad.I am travelling with a few friends from the university.
Necesito un poco de sol en mi piel. Estoy muy pálida.I need a little sun on my skin. I am very pale.
Come poca grasa. No es bueno para tu colesterol.Don't eat too much fat [lit: eat little fat]. It is not good for your cholesterol.
Mis hijos han hecho pocos amigos en el colegio.My sons didn't make many friends at school. [lit: made few friends]
