add gradually

1. adv. - por poco 2. (f. - poca)

pron.

little, few

3. (f. - poca)

adj.

little, few, not much

* * *

1. ADJ

1) [en singular] little, not much

tenemos poco tiempo — we have little time, we don't have much time

hay muy poco queso — there's very little cheese, there's hardly any cheese

de poco interés — of little interest

con poco respeto — with little respect, with scant respect

el provecho es poco — the gain is small, there isn't much to gain

• poca cosa, no te preocupes por tan poca cosa — don't worry about such a little thing

poca cosa se podría haber hecho — there wasn't much we could have done

comemos, jugamos a cartas, leemos y poca cosa más — we eat, play cards, read and do little else o and that's about it

es poca cosa — (=no mucho) it's not much; (=no importante) it's nothing much

somos tan poca cosa — we're so insignificant

es muy guapa pero poca cosa — she's very pretty, but there isn't much to her

• y por si fuera poco — and as if that weren't enough, and to cap it all

2) [en plural] few, not many

pocos niños saben que... — few o not many children know that...

tiene pocos amigos — he has few friends, he hasn't got many friends

pocos días después — a few days later

compré unos pocos libros — I bought a few books

me quedan pocas probabilidades — I don't have much chance

todas las medidas son pocas — no measure will be enough

2. PRON

1) [en singular]

a) (=poca cosa)

la reforma servirá para poco — the reform won't do much good o won't be much use

una hora da para poco — you can't get much done in an hour

con lo poco que me quedaba — with what little I had left

ya sabes lo poco que me interesa — you know how little it interests me

b)

• un poco — a bit, a little

-¿tienes frío? -un poco — "are you cold?" - "a bit o a little"

he bebido un poco, pero no estoy borracho — I've had a bit to drink, but I'm not drunk

voy a dormir un poco — I am going to have a little sleep

le conocía un poco — I knew him a bit o slightly

necesito descansar un poco — I need to rest for a while

espera un poco — wait a minute o moment

estoy un poco triste — I am rather o a little sad

es un poco lo que yo comentaba — that's more or less what I was saying

• un poco como, es un poco como su padre — he's rather o a bit like his father

lo hice un poco como protesta — I did it partly as a protest

• un poco de, un poco de dinero — a little money

dame un poco de vino — can I have some wine?

¡un poco de silencio! — let's have some quiet here!

c) [referido a tiempo] not long

tardaron poco en hacerlo — it didn't take them long to do it, they didn't take long to do it

lleva poco trabajando aquí — he hasn't been working here long

• a poco de — shortly after

a poco de haberlo firmado — shortly after signing it

• cada poco — every so often

• dentro de poco — shortly, soon

• poco después — shortly after

• hace poco — not long ago

fuimos a verla hace poco — we visited her not long ago, we visited her quite recently

tu hermana ha llamado hace poco — your sister called a short while ago

la conozco desde hace poco — I haven't known her long, I've only known her for a short while

hasta hace poco — until recently

2) [en plural] few

pocos son los que... — there are few who...

ya somos pocos los que nos sentimos así — there are now very few of us who feel this way

pocos de entre ellos — few of them

como hay pocos —

es tonto como hay pocos — he's as stupid as they come

3. ADV

1) [con verbos] not much, little

cuesta poco — it doesn't cost much, it costs very little

habla poco — he doesn't say much

ahora trabaja poco — he doesn't work much now

vamos poco a Madrid — we don't go to Madrid much, we hardly ever go to Madrid

lo estiman poco — they hardly value it at all, they value it very little

2) [con adjetivos: se traduce a menudo por medio de un prefijo]

poco dispuesto a ayudar — disinclined to help

poco amable — unkind

poco probable — unlikely

poco inteligente — unintelligent, not very intelligent

sus libros son poco conocidos aquí — his books are not very well known here

3) [otras locuciones]

poco a poco — little by little

¡poco a poco! — steady on!, easy does it!

a poco Méx —

*

¿a poco? — never!, you don't say!

¡a poco no! — not much! *

¿a poco no? — (well) isn't it?

¿a poco crees que...? — do you really imagine that...?

• de a poco — LAm gradually

• tener en poco, tiene en poco a su jefe — she doesn't think much of her boss

tiene la vida en poco — he doesn't value his life

• poco más o menos — more or less

• por poco — almost, nearly

por poco me ahogo — I almost o nearly drowned

• a poco que, a poco que pueda — if at all possible

a poco que corras, lo alcanzas — if you run now you'll catch it

* * *

I

adverbio

es muy poco agradecido — he is very ungrateful

un autor muy poco conocido — a very little-known author

me resultó poco interesante — I didn't find it very interesting

habla poco — he doesn't say much o a lot

viene muy poco por aquí — he hardly ever comes around

... con lo poco que le gusta el arroz —... and he doesn't even like rice; para locs ver poco III 4)

II

- ca adjetivo ( con sustantivos no numerables) little; ( en plural) few

muy poco vino — very little wine

muy pocos niños — very few children

qué poco sentido común tienes! — you don't have much common sense, do you?

tengo muy poca ropa — I have very few clothes

éramos demasiado pocos — there were too few of us

fue asombroso, todo lo que te pueda decir es poco — it was amazing, I can't (even) begin to tell you

todo le parece poco — she is never satisfied

III

- ca pronombre

1) (poca cantidad, poca cosa)

le serví sopa pero comió poca — I gave her some soup but she didn't eat much

por poco que gane... — no matter how little o however little she earns...

se conforma con poco — he's easily satisfied

poco faltó para que me pegara — he nearly hit me

lo poco que gana se lo gasta en vino — he spends the little o what little he earns on wine

compra más lentejas, nos quedan muy pocas — buy some more lentils, we've hardly any left

es un profesor como pocos — there aren't many teachers like him

pocos pueden permitirse ese lujo — not many people can afford to do that

2) poco ( refiriéndose a tiempo)

lo vi hace poco — I saw him recently o not long ago

hace muy poco que lo conoce — she hasn't known him for very long

tardó poco en hacerlo — it didn't take him long to do it

falta poco para las navidades — it's not long till Christmas

a poco de venir él — soon o shortly after he came

dentro de poco — soon

poco antes de que... — a short while o shortly before...

3) un poco

a) ( refiriéndose a cantidades) a little; ( refiriéndose a tiempo) a while

espera un poquito — wait a little while

todavía le duele un poco — it still hurts him a little o a bit

es un poco lo que está pasando en Japón — it's rather like what's happening in Japan

un poco porque me dio lástima — partly because I felt sorry for him

b)

un poco de: un poco de pimienta/vino a little (bit of) pepper/wine; come un poco de jamón — have a bit of ham

c)

un poco + adj/adv: un poco caro/tarde — a bit o a little expensive/late

4) (en locs)

a poco — (Méx)

¿a poco no lees los periódicos? — don't you read the newspapers?

a poco no está fabuloso Acapulco! — isn't Acapulco just fantastic!

a poco ganaron! — don't tell me they won!

de a poco — (AmL) gradually

agrégale la leche de a poquito — add the milk gradually o a little at a time

de a poquito se lo fue comiendo — little by little she ate it all up

en poco: en poco estuvo que no viniéramos we almost didn't come; tienen en poco la vida ajena they set little value on other people's lives; me tienes bien en poco si crees que... you can't think very highly o much of me if you think...; poco a poco gradually; poco más o menos approximately, roughly; poco menos que nearly; poco menos que la mata (fam) he almost killed her; poco menos que los echan a patadas (fam) they practically kicked them out; por poco — nearly

* * *

= little [less -comp., least -sup.], low [lower -comp., lowest -sup.], scant, trifle, tad, little in the way of.

Ex. Explanatory references give a little more explanation as to why the link between two names is being made in the catalogue or index.

Ex. Carlton Duncan discussed the difficulties built into the educational processes which led to under-performance at school and the resulting low representation in higher education and low entry into the professions.

Ex. Scant attention is paid to evaluation and the needs of users.

Ex. She had been a trifle nervous until it was formally announced that the position was hers.

Ex. Williams is one of those rare poets who satisfies the yearning that many of us have for the memorable phrase we wish we had said were our perceptions a tad keener.

Ex. Without any significant restructuring, the LIS programme in Iran will provide little in the way of riding out the rapid transition that the field is currently experiencing.

----

* abultar poco = be skimpy.

* acercarse poco a poco (a) = edge (toward(s)).

* actuar con poca consideración hacia = play + fast and loose with.

* agua poco profunda = shallow water.

* aguas poco profundas = shallows.

* alimentos poco saludables = unhealthy foods.

* a poca distancia = not far behind.

* a poca distancia andando = within walking distance, within an easy walk.

* a poca distancia a pie = within an easy walk, within walking distance.

* a pocos minutos andando = within walking distance, within easy walking distance, within an easy walk.

* a pocos minutos a pie = within walking distance, within easy walking distance, within an easy walk.

* avanzar poco a poco (hacia) = edge (toward(s)).

* cada pocos años = every few years.

* comida poco saludable = unhealthy foods.

* comportamiento poco cívico = uncivic behaviour.

* con muchos huesos y poca carne = bony [bonier -comp., boniest -sup.].

* con muy poca antelación = at (a) very short notice.

* con muy poca anticipación = at (a) very short notice.

* con muy poca frecuencia = all too seldom.

* con muy pocas excepciones = with few exceptions.

* con muy pocos medios = on a shoestring (budget).

* con poca claridad = indistinctly.

* con poca exactitud = loosely.

* con poca experiencia = inexperienced.

* con poca iluminación = dimly illuminated.

* con poca imaginación = unimaginatively.

* con poca naturalidad = stiltedly.

* con poca población = thinly populated.

* con pocas habilidades = poor-ability.

* con poca visión de futuro = short-sighted [shortsighted].

* con poco dinero = on the cheap.

* con poco entusiasmo = half-heartedly.

* con pocos recursos = under-resourced.

* con pocos recursos económicos = low-budget.

* consumir poco a poco = eat away at.

* con tan poca antelación = at such short notice.

* con tan poca anticipación = at such short notice.

* correr poco a poco = eat away at.

* cuestiones poco claras = grey area [gray area].

* de forma poco ética = unethically.

* de forma poco imaginativa = unimaginatively.

* de forma poco profesional = unprofessionally.

= petty criminal.

Ex. When the security services carry out acts of terror, they employ patsies who often are petty criminals or people who are mentally backward or mentally unstable.

----

* de manera poco ética = unethically.

* de manera poco profesional = unprofessionally.

* demasiado poco común = all too rare.

* de modo poco imaginativo = unimaginatively.

* dentro de poco = before long.

* de población poco densa = sparsely populated.

* de poca importancia = menial, small-time.

* de poca monta = hack, small-time.

* de pocas luces = dim [dimmer -comp., dimmest -sup.], dim-witted [dimwitted].

* de poco impacto = low impact [low-impact].

* de poco peso = pat, feeble.

* de poco provecho = fruitless.

* de poco uso = low-use.

* de poco valor = a dime a dozen.

* desaparecer poco a poco = fade into + the sunset.

* de todo un poco = about this and that and everything else, about this and that.

* de un modo poco constructivo = unconstructively.

* de un modo poco económico = wastefully.

* de un modo poco natural = unnaturally.

* donde cabe mucho también cabe poco = what holds a lot will hold a little.

* durar poco = be short term.

* echar poco a poco = dribble.

* el que mucho abarca poco aprieta = jack of all trades, master of none.

* en el caso poco probable de que = in the unlikely case (that).

* en muy poco tiempo = before long.

* en pocas palabras = simply put, in brief, to say the least, to put it (quite) simply, in short, to cut a long story short, bottom line, the, put simply, to make a long story short, the short story + be, simply stated.

* en poco tiempo = before very long, in quite a short time, in a short time, in a short span of time.

* en unos pocos años = within a few years.

* estar poco dispuesto = be reluctant.

* estar poco representado = underrepresent [under-represent].

* estar un poco anticuado = be some years old.

* excusa poco convincente = lame excuse.

* faltar poco (para) = have + a short way to go (before).

* faltar un poco = be some way off.

* gente de poca importancia = small fry, the.

* haber poca duda de que = there + be + little doubt that.

* hace muy poco tiempo = a short time ago.

* hace poco tiempo = a short time ago.

* hacer poca distinción entre... y... = make + little distinction between... and....

* hacer poco = do + little.

* hacer que sea poco probable = render + unlikely.

* hace unos pocos años = a few years ago.

* hace unos pocos días = a few days ago.

* hasta hace muy poco = until recently, up until recently.

* hasta hace relativamente poco tiempo = until relatively recently.

* horas de poca actividad = slack hours.

* horas de poco movimiento = slack hours.

* introducirse poco a poco = ease + Reflexivo + in.

* ir poco más allá de + Infinitivo = go little further than + Gerundio.

* llegar poco a poco = dribble in.

* lo poco común = rarity, rareness.

* mucho ruido para pocas nueces = much ado about nothing.

* mucho ruido y pocas nueces = storm in a teacup, Posesivo + bark is worse than + Posesivo + bite.

* muchos jefes y pocos trabajadores = too many chiefs and not enough Indians.

* muy poco = minimally.

* ofrecer poco = low-ball.

* operación de poca monta = one-room, one-person operation.

* pagando un poco más = at additional cost.

* parece tener poco sentido que = there + seem + little point in.

* pasar poco a poco = slide into.

* período de poca actividad = slack time.

* perro ladrador, poco mordedor = barking dogs seldom bite, Posesivo + bark is worse than + Posesivo + bite.

* poca cantidad = trickle.

* poca cosa = small fry, the.

* poca iluminación = poor lighting.

* poca importancia = unimportance, low profile.

* poca notoriedad = low profile.

* poca probabilidad = slim chance.

* poca severidad = lenience, leniency.

* pocas expectativas = low expectation.

* poca utilidad = unhelpfulness.

* poco abundante = light [lighter -comp., lightest -sup.].

* poco accesible = unapproachable.

* poco acertado = clumsy [clumsier -comp., clumsiest -sup.], injudicious.

* poco acogedor = inhospitable.

* poco aconsejable = unwise, inadvisable.

* poco adecuado = unsuited, unsuitable, inapt.

* poco + Adjetivo = slightly + Adjetivo, less than + Adjetivo.

* poco afortunado = unhappy, ill-favoured [ill-favored, -USA].

* poco agraciado = ill-favoured [ill-favored, -USA].

* poco amable = off-putting, surly [surlier -comp., surliest -sup.], crusty [crustier -comp., crustiest -sup.], unkind.

* poco americano = un-American.

* poco amistoso = off-putting, unfriendly.

* poco antes de + Fecha = shortly before + Fecha.

* poco a poco = gradually, piecemeal, slowly, incrementally, at a snail's pace, little by little, bit by bit.

* poco apreciado = unappreciated.

* poco apropiado = unsuited, unsuitable, inapt.

* poco apto = inapt.

* poco arriesgado = low-risk.

* poco asequible = unapproachable.

* poco atractivo = off-putting, unattractive, unglamorous, uninviting, unappealing.

* poco atrevido = unadventurous.

* poco audaz = unadventurous.

* poco aventurero = unadventurous.

* poco cabelleroso = ungentlemanlike.

* poco cálido = lukewarm.

* poco científico = hit-or-miss, unscientific.

* poco cívico = uncivic.

* poco claro = confusing, fuzzy [fuzzier - comp., fuzziest -sup.], indistinct, obscure, unclear, untidy, hazy, inconclusive, slurred, clouded, blurry [blurrier -comp., blurriest -sup.], undistinguished, uncleared, indistinctive, bleary [blearier -comp., bleariest -sup.].

* poco colaborador = unresponsive.

* poco comercial = uncommercial.

* poco competitivo = uncompetitive.

* poco complicado = uncomplicated, uncomplicatedly.

* poco comprensivo = unsympathetic.

* poco común = rare, unfamiliar, unusual, uncommon, unordinary, out of the ordinary.

* poco comunicativo = uncommunicative, reserved.

* poco confortable = uncomfortable.

* poco conocido = obscure, little known.

* poco convencido = unconvinced.

* poco convencional = unconventional.

* poco convincente = unconvincing, inconclusive, pat, feeble.

* poco convincentemente = unconvincingly.

* poco correcto = ungentlemanlike.

* poco cortés = impolite, ungentlemanlike.

* poco culto = unenlightened.

* poco decidido = half-hearted [halfhearted].

* poco definido = blurry [blurrier -comp., blurriest -sup.], bleary [blearier -comp., bleariest -sup.].

* poco denso = rarefied.

* poco deportivo = unsportsmanlike.

* poco después = soon afterwards, shortly afterwards, shortly after, not long after.

* poco después de = soon after (that), shortly after.

* poco después de que = shortly after.

* poco diestro = poor-ability.

* poco diplomático = indiscreet.

* poco dispuesto = disinclined.

* poco dispuesto a colaborar = uncooperative.

* poco ducho en las nuevas tecnologías = technologically challenged.

* poco económico = uneconomical.

* poco efectivo = ineffectual.

* poco eficaz = non-efficient.

* poco elegante = inelegant, awkward, dowdy [dowdier -comp., dowdiest -sup.].

* poco embarazoso = unembarrassing.

* poco entusiasta = half-hearted [halfhearted], lukewarm.

* poco envidiable = unenviable.

* poco estable = unsettled.

* poco estético = unaesthetic.

* poco estimulador = unchallenging.

* poco estimulante = unexciting, uninspiring, unmoving.

* poco estricto = lax.

* poco ético = unethical.

* poco evidente = unnoticed, unnoted.

* poco exigente = untaxing, undemanding.

* poco favorable = unpromising.

* poco favorecedor = unflattering.

* poco fiable = unreliable, undependable, flaky [flakey].

* poco firme = tenuous, rocky [rockier -comp., rockiest -sup.].

* poco flexible = monolithic, inelastic.

* poco frecuente = infrequent.

* poco fructífero = unfruitful.

* poco gratificante = unrewarding, unsatisfying.

* poco grato = unwelcome.

* poco hábil = poor-ability.

* poco habitual = unaccustomed.

* poco halagador = unflattering.

* poco halagüeño = unflattering.

* poco hospitalario = inhospitable.

* poco idóneo = unsuited, unsuitable, inapt.

* poco iluminado = dimly illuminated.

* poco imaginativo = unimaginative.

* poco importante = menial, small-time.

* poco impresionado = unimpressed.

* poco informativo = uninformative.

* poco intelectual = lowbrow [low-brow].

* poco inteligente = unintelligent.

* poco intenso = light [lighter -comp., lightest -sup.].

* poco interesante = dull, jackdaw, uninteresting, uninspiring, unremarkable.

* poco juicioso = injudicious.

* poco justificado = ill-justified.

* poco listo = underprepared.

* poco maduro = underripe.

* poco más = little else.

* poco materialista = unworldly.

* poco memorable = forgettable.

* poco mundano = unwordly.

* poco natural = unnatural, stilted.

* poco nítido = untidy.

* poco normal = unnatural, unordinary, out of the ordinary.

* poco novedoso = trite.

* poco original = unoriginal.

* poco ortodoxo = unorthodox.

* poco poblado = thinly populated.

* poco práctico = impractical, awkward.

* poco preparado = underprepared.

* poco probable = unlikely, far-fetched [farfetched].

* poco productivo = unproductive.

* poco profesional = amateurish, unprofessional.

* poco profundo = shallow [shallower -comp., shallowest -sup.].

* poco prometedor = bleak, unpromising.

* poco propicio = unpromising, unpromising.

* poco provechoso = fruitless, unrewarding.

* poco prudente = ill-advised, ill-judged.

* poco pulido = unpolished.

* poco razonable = unreasonable.

* poco realista = unrealistic, unreal, unwordly, way out in left field, airy-fairy.

* poco recomendable = inadvisable.

* poco refinado = unrefined, unpolished.

* poco rentable = uneconomical.

* poco representativo = unrepresentative.

* poco romántico = unromantic.

* poco sabido = little known.

* poco saludable = unwholesome, insalubrious.

* poco sano = unwholesome, insalubrious.

* poco seguro = dicey [dicier -comp., diciest -sup.].

* poco sensato = ill-advised, injudicious, ill-judged.

* poco sentimental = unsentimental.

* poco serio = flippant.

* poco sincero = insincere.

* poco sistemático = sloppy [sloppier -comp., sloppiest -sup.].

* poco social = unsocial.

* poco sofisticado = elementary, unsophisticated, corn-fed.

* poco sólido = insubstantial.

* poco tiempo = short while, short time.

* poco tiempo después = shortly afterwards.

* poco tradicional = untraditional.

* poco unido = loosely knit.

* poco uniforme = patchy [patchier -comp., patchiest -sup.].

* poco usado = little-used.

* poco usual = unusual.

* poco útil = clumsy [clumsier -comp., clumsiest -sup.], unhelpful.

* poquito a poco = little by little.

* por mencionar sólo unos pocos = to name but a few.

* por mencionar uno pocos = just to name a few.

* por nombrar sólo unos pocos = to name but a few.

* por nombrar unos pocos = to name a few.

* por poco dinero = cheaply.

* por poco o nada = at little or no extra cost.

* por si era poco = for good measure.

* por si fuera poco = to boot, for good measure, to add insult to injury, to add salt to injury, to rub salt in the wound.

* prestar poca atención a = give + little thought to.

* pretexto poco convincente = lame excuse.

* quedar poco (para) = have + a short way to go (before).

* quedar un poco = be some way off.

* quedar un poco perjudicado = be a little worse prepared, be a little worse off.

* que ocupa poco espacio = space-saving.

* qué poco común = how odd.

* quien mucho abarca poco aprieta = bite off more than + Pronombre + can chew.

* reducirse poco a poco = dribble off.

* resultar poco fructífero = prove + unfruitful.

* roer poco a poco = eat away at.

* saber un poco de todo y mucho de nada = jack of all trades, master of none.

* sacar poco a poco = tease out.

* salir un poco perjudicado = be a little worse prepared, be a little worse off.

* sangre poco espesa = thin blood.

* ser algo muy poco frecuente = be a rare occurrence.

* ser algo poco común = be the exception rather than the rule.

* ser algo poco conocido que = it + be + a little known fact that.

* ser algo poco frecuente = be a rare occurrence.

* ser algo poco sabido que = it + be + a little known fact that.

* ser de poco valor = be of little use, be of little value.

* ser muy poco probable = be remote.

* ser poco = be under-provided.

* ser poco agradecido = be thankless.

* ser poco eficaz = do + little.

* ser poco reconocido = be thankless.

* ser pocos = be few in number, be small in number.

* ser un hecho poco conocido que = it + be + a little known fact that.

* ser un hecho poco sabido que = it + be + a little known fact that.

* servir de poco = be of little use.

* servir de poco o nada = be of little or no avail.

* solución poco real = pie in the sky solution.

* tener poca información = be information poor.

* tener pocas luces = as thick as a brick, as thick as two (short) planks, as daft as a brush, knucklehead.

* tener pocas posibilidades de = have + little recourse.

* tener poco que ver = have + little to do.

* tener poco valor = be of little value.

* trabajo de poca monta = odd-job.

* un hombre de pocas palabras = a man of few words.

* unos pocos elegidos = a select few.

* un poco = a bit, somewhat, slightly, something of, a little bit, kinda [kind of].

* un poco áspero = roughish.

* un poco como = kind of like.

* un poco de = a measure of, a touch (of), a bit of, a piece of, a spot of, a splash of, a hint of.

* un poco + Nombre = a shade + Nombre.

* un poco obscuro = dusky.

* un poco perdido = a bit at sea.

* un poco rugoso = roughish.

* usado con poca frecuencia = seldom used [seldom-used].

* usuario que hace poco uso del préstamo = light borrower.

* utilizar poco = underutilise/under-utilise [underutilize/under-utilize, -USA].

* vivienda poco digna = poor housing.

* y poco más = and little more.

* * *

I

adverbio

es muy poco agradecido — he is very ungrateful

un autor muy poco conocido — a very little-known author

me resultó poco interesante — I didn't find it very interesting

habla poco — he doesn't say much o a lot

viene muy poco por aquí — he hardly ever comes around

... con lo poco que le gusta el arroz —... and he doesn't even like rice; para locs ver poco III 4)

II

- ca adjetivo ( con sustantivos no numerables) little; ( en plural) few

muy poco vino — very little wine

muy pocos niños — very few children

qué poco sentido común tienes! — you don't have much common sense, do you?

tengo muy poca ropa — I have very few clothes

éramos demasiado pocos — there were too few of us

fue asombroso, todo lo que te pueda decir es poco — it was amazing, I can't (even) begin to tell you

todo le parece poco — she is never satisfied

III

- ca pronombre

1) (poca cantidad, poca cosa)

le serví sopa pero comió poca — I gave her some soup but she didn't eat much

por poco que gane... — no matter how little o however little she earns...

se conforma con poco — he's easily satisfied

poco faltó para que me pegara — he nearly hit me

lo poco que gana se lo gasta en vino — he spends the little o what little he earns on wine

compra más lentejas, nos quedan muy pocas — buy some more lentils, we've hardly any left

es un profesor como pocos — there aren't many teachers like him

pocos pueden permitirse ese lujo — not many people can afford to do that

2) poco ( refiriéndose a tiempo)

lo vi hace poco — I saw him recently o not long ago

hace muy poco que lo conoce — she hasn't known him for very long

tardó poco en hacerlo — it didn't take him long to do it

falta poco para las navidades — it's not long till Christmas

a poco de venir él — soon o shortly after he came

dentro de poco — soon

poco antes de que... — a short while o shortly before...

3) un poco

a) ( refiriéndose a cantidades) a little; ( refiriéndose a tiempo) a while

espera un poquito — wait a little while

todavía le duele un poco — it still hurts him a little o a bit

es un poco lo que está pasando en Japón — it's rather like what's happening in Japan

un poco porque me dio lástima — partly because I felt sorry for him

b)

un poco de: un poco de pimienta/vino a little (bit of) pepper/wine; come un poco de jamón — have a bit of ham

c)

un poco + adj/adv: un poco caro/tarde — a bit o a little expensive/late

4) (en locs)

a poco — (Méx)

¿a poco no lees los periódicos? — don't you read the newspapers?

a poco no está fabuloso Acapulco! — isn't Acapulco just fantastic!

a poco ganaron! — don't tell me they won!

de a poco — (AmL) gradually

agrégale la leche de a poquito — add the milk gradually o a little at a time

de a poquito se lo fue comiendo — little by little she ate it all up

en poco: en poco estuvo que no viniéramos we almost didn't come; tienen en poco la vida ajena they set little value on other people's lives; me tienes bien en poco si crees que... you can't think very highly o much of me if you think...; poco a poco gradually; poco más o menos approximately, roughly; poco menos que nearly; poco menos que la mata (fam) he almost killed her; poco menos que los echan a patadas (fam) they practically kicked them out; por poco — nearly

* * *

= little [less -comp., least -sup.], low [lower -comp., lowest -sup.], scant, trifle, tad, little in the way of.

Ex: Explanatory references give a little more explanation as to why the link between two names is being made in the catalogue or index.

Ex: Carlton Duncan discussed the difficulties built into the educational processes which led to under-performance at school and the resulting low representation in higher education and low entry into the professions.

Ex: Scant attention is paid to evaluation and the needs of users.

Ex: She had been a trifle nervous until it was formally announced that the position was hers.

Ex: Williams is one of those rare poets who satisfies the yearning that many of us have for the memorable phrase we wish we had said were our perceptions a tad keener.

Ex: Without any significant restructuring, the LIS programme in Iran will provide little in the way of riding out the rapid transition that the field is currently experiencing.

* abultar poco = be skimpy.

* acercarse poco a poco (a) = edge (toward(s)).

* actuar con poca consideración hacia = play + fast and loose with.

* agua poco profunda = shallow water.

* aguas poco profundas = shallows.

* alimentos poco saludables = unhealthy foods.

* a poca distancia = not far behind.

* a poca distancia andando = within walking distance, within an easy walk.

* a poca distancia a pie = within an easy walk, within walking distance.

* a pocos minutos andando = within walking distance, within easy walking distance, within an easy walk.

* a pocos minutos a pie = within walking distance, within easy walking distance, within an easy walk.

* avanzar poco a poco (hacia) = edge (toward(s)).

* cada pocos años = every few years.

* comida poco saludable = unhealthy foods.

* comportamiento poco cívico = uncivic behaviour.

* con muchos huesos y poca carne = bony [bonier -comp., boniest -sup.].

* con muy poca antelación = at (a) very short notice.

* con muy poca anticipación = at (a) very short notice.

* con muy poca frecuencia = all too seldom.

* con muy pocas excepciones = with few exceptions.

* con muy pocos medios = on a shoestring (budget).

* con poca claridad = indistinctly.

* con poca exactitud = loosely.

* con poca experiencia = inexperienced.

* con poca iluminación = dimly illuminated.

* con poca imaginación = unimaginatively.

* con poca naturalidad = stiltedly.

* con poca población = thinly populated.

* con pocas habilidades = poor-ability.

* con poca visión de futuro = short-sighted [shortsighted].

* con poco dinero = on the cheap.

* con poco entusiasmo = half-heartedly.

* con pocos recursos = under-resourced.

* con pocos recursos económicos = low-budget.

* consumir poco a poco = eat away at.

* con tan poca antelación = at such short notice.

* con tan poca anticipación = at such short notice.

* correr poco a poco = eat away at.

* cuestiones poco claras = grey area [gray area].

* de forma poco ética = unethically.

* de forma poco imaginativa = unimaginatively.

* de forma poco profesional = unprofessionally.

= petty criminal.

Ex: When the security services carry out acts of terror, they employ patsies who often are petty criminals or people who are mentally backward or mentally unstable.

* de manera poco ética = unethically.

* de manera poco profesional = unprofessionally.

* demasiado poco común = all too rare.

* de modo poco imaginativo = unimaginatively.

* dentro de poco = before long.

* de población poco densa = sparsely populated.

* de poca importancia = menial, small-time.

* de poca monta = hack, small-time.

* de pocas luces = dim [dimmer -comp., dimmest -sup.], dim-witted [dimwitted].

* de poco impacto = low impact [low-impact].

* de poco peso = pat, feeble.

* de poco provecho = fruitless.

* de poco uso = low-use.

* de poco valor = a dime a dozen.

* desaparecer poco a poco = fade into + the sunset.

* de todo un poco = about this and that and everything else, about this and that.

* de un modo poco constructivo = unconstructively.

* de un modo poco económico = wastefully.

* de un modo poco natural = unnaturally.

* donde cabe mucho también cabe poco = what holds a lot will hold a little.

* durar poco = be short term.

* echar poco a poco = dribble.

* el que mucho abarca poco aprieta = jack of all trades, master of none.

* en el caso poco probable de que = in the unlikely case (that).

* en muy poco tiempo = before long.

* en pocas palabras = simply put, in brief, to say the least, to put it (quite) simply, in short, to cut a long story short, bottom line, the, put simply, to make a long story short, the short story + be, simply stated.

* en poco tiempo = before very long, in quite a short time, in a short time, in a short span of time.

* en unos pocos años = within a few years.

* estar poco dispuesto = be reluctant.

* estar poco representado = underrepresent [under-represent].

* estar un poco anticuado = be some years old.

* excusa poco convincente = lame excuse.

* faltar poco (para) = have + a short way to go (before).

* faltar un poco = be some way off.

* gente de poca importancia = small fry, the.

* haber poca duda de que = there + be + little doubt that.

* hace muy poco tiempo = a short time ago.

* hace poco tiempo = a short time ago.

* hacer poca distinción entre... y... = make + little distinction between... and....

* hacer poco = do + little.

* hacer que sea poco probable = render + unlikely.

* hace unos pocos años = a few years ago.

* hace unos pocos días = a few days ago.

* hasta hace muy poco = until recently, up until recently.

* hasta hace relativamente poco tiempo = until relatively recently.

* horas de poca actividad = slack hours.

* horas de poco movimiento = slack hours.

* introducirse poco a poco = ease + Reflexivo + in.

* ir poco más allá de + Infinitivo = go little further than + Gerundio.

* llegar poco a poco = dribble in.

* lo poco común = rarity, rareness.

* mucho ruido para pocas nueces = much ado about nothing.

* mucho ruido y pocas nueces = storm in a teacup, Posesivo + bark is worse than + Posesivo + bite.

* muchos jefes y pocos trabajadores = too many chiefs and not enough Indians.

* muy poco = minimally.

* ofrecer poco = low-ball.

* operación de poca monta = one-room, one-person operation.

* pagando un poco más = at additional cost.

* parece tener poco sentido que = there + seem + little point in.

* pasar poco a poco = slide into.

* período de poca actividad = slack time.

* perro ladrador, poco mordedor = barking dogs seldom bite, Posesivo + bark is worse than + Posesivo + bite.

* poca cantidad = trickle.

* poca cosa = small fry, the.

* poca iluminación = poor lighting.

* poca importancia = unimportance, low profile.

* poca notoriedad = low profile.

* poca probabilidad = slim chance.

* poca severidad = lenience, leniency.

* pocas expectativas = low expectation.

* poca utilidad = unhelpfulness.

* poco abundante = light [lighter -comp., lightest -sup.].

* poco accesible = unapproachable.

* poco acertado = clumsy [clumsier -comp., clumsiest -sup.], injudicious.

* poco acogedor = inhospitable.

* poco aconsejable = unwise, inadvisable.

* poco adecuado = unsuited, unsuitable, inapt.

* poco + Adjetivo = slightly + Adjetivo, less than + Adjetivo.

* poco afortunado = unhappy, ill-favoured [ill-favored, -USA].

* poco agraciado = ill-favoured [ill-favored, -USA].

* poco amable = off-putting, surly [surlier -comp., surliest -sup.], crusty [crustier -comp., crustiest -sup.], unkind.

* poco americano = un-American.

* poco amistoso = off-putting, unfriendly.

* poco antes de + Fecha = shortly before + Fecha.

* poco a poco = gradually, piecemeal, slowly, incrementally, at a snail's pace, little by little, bit by bit.

* poco apreciado = unappreciated.

* poco apropiado = unsuited, unsuitable, inapt.

* poco apto = inapt.

* poco arriesgado = low-risk.

* poco asequible = unapproachable.

* poco atractivo = off-putting, unattractive, unglamorous, uninviting, unappealing.

* poco atrevido = unadventurous.

* poco audaz = unadventurous.

* poco aventurero = unadventurous.

* poco cabelleroso = ungentlemanlike.

* poco cálido = lukewarm.

* poco científico = hit-or-miss, unscientific.

* poco cívico = uncivic.

* poco claro = confusing, fuzzy [fuzzier - comp., fuzziest -sup.], indistinct, obscure, unclear, untidy, hazy, inconclusive, slurred, clouded, blurry [blurrier -comp., blurriest -sup.], undistinguished, uncleared, indistinctive, bleary [blearier -comp., bleariest -sup.].

* poco colaborador = unresponsive.

* poco comercial = uncommercial.

* poco competitivo = uncompetitive.

* poco complicado = uncomplicated, uncomplicatedly.

* poco comprensivo = unsympathetic.

* poco común = rare, unfamiliar, unusual, uncommon, unordinary, out of the ordinary.

* poco comunicativo = uncommunicative, reserved.

* poco confortable = uncomfortable.

* poco conocido = obscure, little known.

* poco convencido = unconvinced.

* poco convencional = unconventional.

* poco convincente = unconvincing, inconclusive, pat, feeble.

* poco convincentemente = unconvincingly.

* poco correcto = ungentlemanlike.

* poco cortés = impolite, ungentlemanlike.

* poco culto = unenlightened.

* poco decidido = half-hearted [halfhearted].

* poco definido = blurry [blurrier -comp., blurriest -sup.], bleary [blearier -comp., bleariest -sup.].

* poco denso = rarefied.

* poco deportivo = unsportsmanlike.

* poco después = soon afterwards, shortly afterwards, shortly after, not long after.

* poco después de = soon after (that), shortly after.

* poco después de que = shortly after.

* poco diestro = poor-ability.

* poco diplomático = indiscreet.

* poco dispuesto = disinclined.

* poco dispuesto a colaborar = uncooperative.

* poco ducho en las nuevas tecnologías = technologically challenged.

* poco económico = uneconomical.

* poco efectivo = ineffectual.

* poco eficaz = non-efficient.

* poco elegante = inelegant, awkward, dowdy [dowdier -comp., dowdiest -sup.].

* poco embarazoso = unembarrassing.

* poco entusiasta = half-hearted [halfhearted], lukewarm.

* poco envidiable = unenviable.

* poco estable = unsettled.

* poco estético = unaesthetic.

* poco estimulador = unchallenging.

* poco estimulante = unexciting, uninspiring, unmoving.

* poco estricto = lax.

* poco ético = unethical.

* poco evidente = unnoticed, unnoted.

* poco exigente = untaxing, undemanding.

* poco favorable = unpromising.

* poco favorecedor = unflattering.

* poco fiable = unreliable, undependable, flaky [flakey].

* poco firme = tenuous, rocky [rockier -comp., rockiest -sup.].

* poco flexible = monolithic, inelastic.

* poco frecuente = infrequent.

* poco fructífero = unfruitful.

* poco gratificante = unrewarding, unsatisfying.

* poco grato = unwelcome.

* poco hábil = poor-ability.

* poco habitual = unaccustomed.

* poco halagador = unflattering.

* poco halagüeño = unflattering.

* poco hospitalario = inhospitable.

* poco idóneo = unsuited, unsuitable, inapt.

* poco iluminado = dimly illuminated.

* poco imaginativo = unimaginative.

* poco importante = menial, small-time.

* poco impresionado = unimpressed.

* poco informativo = uninformative.

* poco intelectual = lowbrow [low-brow].

* poco inteligente = unintelligent.

* poco intenso = light [lighter -comp., lightest -sup.].

* poco interesante = dull, jackdaw, uninteresting, uninspiring, unremarkable.

* poco juicioso = injudicious.

* poco justificado = ill-justified.

* poco listo = underprepared.

* poco maduro = underripe.

* poco más = little else.

* poco materialista = unworldly.

* poco memorable = forgettable.

* poco mundano = unwordly.

* poco natural = unnatural, stilted.

* poco nítido = untidy.

* poco normal = unnatural, unordinary, out of the ordinary.

* poco novedoso = trite.

* poco original = unoriginal.

* poco ortodoxo = unorthodox.

* poco poblado = thinly populated.

* poco práctico = impractical, awkward.

* poco preparado = underprepared.

* poco probable = unlikely, far-fetched [farfetched].

* poco productivo = unproductive.

* poco profesional = amateurish, unprofessional.

* poco profundo = shallow [shallower -comp., shallowest -sup.].

* poco prometedor = bleak, unpromising.

* poco propicio = unpromising, unpromising.

* poco provechoso = fruitless, unrewarding.

* poco prudente = ill-advised, ill-judged.

* poco pulido = unpolished.

* poco razonable = unreasonable.

* poco realista = unrealistic, unreal, unwordly, way out in left field, airy-fairy.

* poco recomendable = inadvisable.

* poco refinado = unrefined, unpolished.

* poco rentable = uneconomical.

* poco representativo = unrepresentative.

* poco romántico = unromantic.

* poco sabido = little known.

* poco saludable = unwholesome, insalubrious.

* poco sano = unwholesome, insalubrious.

* poco seguro = dicey [dicier -comp., diciest -sup.].

* poco sensato = ill-advised, injudicious, ill-judged.

* poco sentimental = unsentimental.

* poco serio = flippant.

* poco sincero = insincere.

* poco sistemático = sloppy [sloppier -comp., sloppiest -sup.].

* poco social = unsocial.

* poco sofisticado = elementary, unsophisticated, corn-fed.

* poco sólido = insubstantial.

* poco tiempo = short while, short time.

* poco tiempo después = shortly afterwards.

* poco tradicional = untraditional.

* poco unido = loosely knit.

* poco uniforme = patchy [patchier -comp., patchiest -sup.].

* poco usado = little-used.

* poco usual = unusual.

* poco útil = clumsy [clumsier -comp., clumsiest -sup.], unhelpful.

* poquito a poco = little by little.

* por mencionar sólo unos pocos = to name but a few.

* por mencionar uno pocos = just to name a few.

* por nombrar sólo unos pocos = to name but a few.

* por nombrar unos pocos = to name a few.

* por poco dinero = cheaply.

* por poco o nada = at little or no extra cost.

* por si era poco = for good measure.

* por si fuera poco = to boot, for good measure, to add insult to injury, to add salt to injury, to rub salt in the wound.

* prestar poca atención a = give + little thought to.

* pretexto poco convincente = lame excuse.

* quedar poco (para) = have + a short way to go (before).

* quedar un poco = be some way off.

* quedar un poco perjudicado = be a little worse prepared, be a little worse off.

* que ocupa poco espacio = space-saving.

* qué poco común = how odd.

* quien mucho abarca poco aprieta = bite off more than + Pronombre + can chew.

* reducirse poco a poco = dribble off.

* resultar poco fructífero = prove + unfruitful.

* roer poco a poco = eat away at.

* saber un poco de todo y mucho de nada = jack of all trades, master of none.

* sacar poco a poco = tease out.

* salir un poco perjudicado = be a little worse prepared, be a little worse off.

* sangre poco espesa = thin blood.

* ser algo muy poco frecuente = be a rare occurrence.

* ser algo poco común = be the exception rather than the rule.

* ser algo poco conocido que = it + be + a little known fact that.

* ser algo poco frecuente = be a rare occurrence.

* ser algo poco sabido que = it + be + a little known fact that.

* ser de poco valor = be of little use, be of little value.

* ser muy poco probable = be remote.

* ser poco = be under-provided.

* ser poco agradecido = be thankless.

* ser poco eficaz = do + little.

* ser poco reconocido = be thankless.

* ser pocos = be few in number, be small in number.

* ser un hecho poco conocido que = it + be + a little known fact that.

* ser un hecho poco sabido que = it + be + a little known fact that.

* servir de poco = be of little use.

* servir de poco o nada = be of little or no avail.

* solución poco real = pie in the sky solution.

* tener poca información = be information poor.

* tener pocas luces = as thick as a brick, as thick as two (short) planks, as daft as a brush, knucklehead.

* tener pocas posibilidades de = have + little recourse.

* tener poco que ver = have + little to do.

* tener poco valor = be of little value.

* trabajo de poca monta = odd-job.

* un hombre de pocas palabras = a man of few words.

* unos pocos elegidos = a select few.

* un poco = a bit, somewhat, slightly, something of, a little bit, kinda [kind of].

* un poco áspero = roughish.

* un poco como = kind of like.

* un poco de = a measure of, a touch (of), a bit of, a piece of, a spot of, a splash of, a hint of.

* un poco + Nombre = a shade + Nombre.

* un poco obscuro = dusky.

* un poco perdido = a bit at sea.

* un poco rugoso = roughish.

* usado con poca frecuencia = seldom used [seldom-used].

* usuario que hace poco uso del préstamo = light borrower.

* utilizar poco = underutilise/under-utilise [underutilize/under-utilize, -USA].

* vivienda poco digna = poor housing.

* y poco más = and little more.

* * *

poco¹

adverb

[ Grammar notes (Spanish) ]

es muy poco agradecido he is very ungrateful, he isn't at all grateful

es un autor muy poco conocido he is a very little-known author

me resultó poco interesante I didn't find it very interesting, I found it rather uninteresting

habla poco he doesn't say much o a lot

duerme poquísimo she sleeps very little, she doesn't sleep very much

viene muy poco por aquí he hardly ever comes around

poco y nada me ayudaron they hardly helped me at all

… con lo poco que le gusta el arroz … and he doesn't even like rice

para locs ver poco³ pron D. (↑ poco (3))

poco² -ca

adjective

[ Grammar notes (Spanish) ] (con sustantivos no numerables) little; (en plural) few

muy poco vino very little wine

muy pocos niños very few children

hemos tenido muy poca suerte we've been very unlucky, we've had very little luck

¡qué poco sentido común tienes! you don't have much common sense, do you?

tengo muy poca ropa I have hardly any clothes, I have very few clothes

a poca gente se le presenta esa oportunidad not many people get that opportunity

hay muy pocas mujeres en el gremio there are very few women in the trade

éramos demasiado pocos there were too few of us, there weren't enough of us

fue asombroso, todo lo que te pueda decir es poco it was amazing, I can't begin to tell you

a esta mujer todo le parece poco this woman is never satisfied

me he olvidado del poco francés/de las pocas palabras que sabía I've forgotten the little French/the few words I knew

le dio unos pocos pesos she gave him a few pesos

poco³ -ca

pronoun

[ Grammar notes (Spanish) ]

A

(poca cantidad, poca cosa): le serví sopa pero comió poca I gave her some soup but she only ate a little o she didn't eat much

sírvele poco, desayunó muy tarde don't give him (too) much, he had a late breakfast

por poco que gane, siempre es otro sueldo no matter how little o however little she earns o even if she doesn't earn much, it's still another salary coming in

se conforma con poco he's easily satisfied

poco faltó para que me pegara he nearly hit me

poco y nada saqué en limpio de lo que dijo what he said made little or no sense to me

lo poco que gana se lo gasta en vino he spends the little o what little he earns on wine

compra más lentejas, nos quedan muy pocas buy some more lentils, we've hardly any left o we have very few left

es un profesor como pocos there aren't many teachers like him

pocos pueden permitirse ese lujo not many people can afford to do that

B

poco (refiriéndose a tiempo): lo vi hace poco I saw him recently o not long ago

hace muy poco que lo conoce she hasn't known him for very long, she's only known him a little while

tardó poco en pintar la cocina it didn't take him long to paint the kitchen

falta poco para las navidades it's not long till Christmas, Christmas isn't far off

a poco de terminar el bombardeo soon o shortly after the bombing stopped

dentro de poco sale otro tren there'll be another train soon o shortly

poco antes de que ella se fuera a short while o shortly before she left

C

un poco

1 (refiriéndose a cantidades) a little; (refiriéndose a tiempo) a while

¿te sirvo un poco? would you like a little o some?

descansemos un poco let's rest for a while, let's have a little rest

espera un poquito wait a little while

todavía le duele un poquitín or poquitito it still hurts him a little

2

un poco de: ponle un poco de pimienta/vino add a little (bit of) pepper/wine

tiene un poco de fiebre he has a slight fever, he has a bit of a temperature o a slight temperature ( BrE)

come un poco de jamón have a bit of o some o a little ham

3

un poco (hasta cierto punto): es un poco lo que está pasando en Japón it's rather like what's happening in Japan

un poco porque me dio lástima partly because I felt sorry for him

4 un poco + ADJ/ADV:

un poco caro/tarde a bit o a little expensive/late

me queda un poco corto it's a bit short o a little short o slightly too short (for me)

habla un poco más fuerte speak up a bit o a little

D ( en locs):

a poco ( Méx): ¿a poco no lees los periódicos? don't you read the newspapers?

¡a poco no está fabuloso Acapulco! isn't Acapulco just fantastic!

¡a poco ganaron! don't tell me they won!

nos sacamos el gordo de la lotería — ¡a poco ! we won the big lottery prize — you didn't!

de a poco ( AmL); gradually

agrégale la leche de a poquito add the milk gradually o a little at a time

de a poquito se lo fue comiendo little by little o slowly she ate it all up

en poco: en poco estuvo que nos ganaran they came very close to beating us, they very nearly beat us

en poco estuvo que no viniéramos we almost didn't come

tienen en poco la vida ajena they set little value on other people's lives

me tienes bien en poco si me crees capaz de eso you can't think very highly o much of me if you think I could do such a thing

poco a poco or ( Méx) a poquito gradually

poco a poco la fueron arreglando they gradually fixed it up, they fixed it up little by little

poco más o menos approximately, roughly

habrán gastado unos dos millones, poco más o menos they must have spent in the neighborhood o ( BrE) region of two million

poco menos que nearly

es poco menos que imposible it's well-nigh o almost o very nearly impossible

le pegó una paliza que poco menos que la mata ( fam); he gave her such a beating he almost o nearly killed her

poco menos que los echan a patadas ( fam); they practically kicked them out

por poco nearly

por poco nos descubren we were nearly found out

* * *

 

poco 1 adverbio:

◊ habla poco he doesn't say much o a lot;

es muy poco agradecido he is very ungrateful;
un autor muy poco conocido a very little-known author;
viene muy poco por aquí he hardly ever comes around;
para locs ver poco 2 4
poco 2 -ca adjetivo ( con sustantivos no numerables) little;

( en plural) few;

◊ muy poco vino very little wine;

muy pocos niños very few children;
había poquísimos coches there were hardly any cars
■ pronombre
1 (poca cantidad, poca cosa):

◊ había poco que hacer there was little to do;

por poco que gane … no matter how little o however little she earns …;
se conforma con poco he's easily satisfied;
todo le parece poco she is never satisfied;
pocos quisieron ayudar few were willing to help;
pocos pueden permitirse ese lujo not many people can afford to do that
2

◊ poco ( refiriéndose a tiempo): lo vi hace poco I saw him recently o not long ago;

hace muy poco que lo conoce she hasn't known him for very long;
tardó poco en hacerlo it didn't take him long to do it;
falta poco para las navidades it's not long till Christmas;
a poco de venir él soon o shortly after he came;
dentro de poco soon;
poco antes de que … a short while o shortly before …
3

◊ un poco

a) ( refiriéndose a cantidades) a little;

( refiriéndose a tiempo) a while;

◊ dame un poco I'll have some o a little;

espera un poco wait a while

b)

◊ un poco de a little, a bit of

c) un poco + adj/adv:

◊ un poco caro/tarde a bit o a little expensive/late

4 ( en locs)

◊ a poco (Méx): ¡a poco no está fabuloso Acapulco! isn't Acapulco just fantastic!;

¡a poco ganaron! don't tell me they won!;
de a poco (AmL) gradually, little by little;
poco a poco gradually;
poco más o menos approximately, roughly;
por poco nearly
poco,-a
I adjetivo
1 (con el sustantivo en singular) not much, little: tengo poco apetito, I haven't got much appetite
2 (con el sustantivo en plural) not many, few: conozco pocos lugares de Italia, I don't know many places in Italy
II pron (singular) little, not much
(plural) (objetos) few, not many
(personas) few people, not many people ➣ Ver nota en few
III adverbio
1 (con verbo) not (very) much, little: entiendo poco del tema, I don't understand much about the issue
2 (con adjetivo) not very: está poco claro, it's not very clear
3 (de tiempo) hace poco que nos conocemos, we met a short time ago
IV sustantivo masculino
1 (acompañado de adjetivo o adverbio) lo noté un poco molesto, I thought he was a bit annoyed
tendré que hacerlo un poco después, I'll have to do it a little later
2 (acompañando a un sustantivo) dame un poco de agua, give me a little water ➣ Ver nota en little
♦ Locuciones: a poco de, shortly after
dentro de poco, soon
poco a poco, little by little, gradually
poco antes/después, shortly before/afterwards
por poco, almost
' poco' also found in these entries:
Spanish:
abreviar
- aclimatarse
- adelgazar
- aguantar
- ahora
- alcornoque
- alentador
- alentadora
- algo
- antes
- apercibirse
- bagatela
- baja
- bajo
- brusca
- brusco
- bruta
- bruto
- buscar
- calentar
- cargada
- cargado
- cascada
- cascado
- cerebral
- chapucera
- chapucero
- chispa
- clara
- claro
- común
- cruda
- crudo
- cualquiera
- de
- dentro
- descuidada
- descuidado
- descuidarse
- desigual
- desmoronada
- desmoronado
- despatarrarse
- despistada
- despistado
- despreciable
- después
- desvaído
- disipar
- dudosa
English:
accomplice
- add to
- adjust
- aerial
- after
- afterwards
- along
- aloof
- amateurish
- balding
- bark
- belly
- bit
- black
- blind
- blow up
- boot
- by
- can
- careless
- chat
- comedown
- confusing
- cowboy
- degree
- derivative
- desultory
- disagreement
- disingenuous
- diving
- do
- dodgy
- doubtful
- dowdy
- earthy
- easy-going
- edge
- effect
- element
- evasion
- exist
- expect
- fall apart
- far-fetched
- fine
- flippant
- forge
- furnish
- fuzzy
- gradually

* * *

poco, -a

♦ adj

(singular) little, not much; (plural) few, not many;

de poca importancia of little importance;

poca agua not much water;

pocas personas lo saben few o not many people know it;

hay pocos árboles there aren't many trees;

tenemos poco tiempo we don't have much time;

hace poco tiempo not long ago;

dame unos pocos días give me a few days;

esto ocurre pocas veces this rarely happens, this doesn't happen often;

tengo pocas ganas de ir I don't really o much feel like going;

poca sal me parece que le estás echando I don't think you're putting enough salt in, I think you're putting too little salt in;

con lo poco que le gusta la ópera, y la han invitado a La Traviata it's ironic, considering how she dislikes opera, that they should have invited her to see La Traviata

♦ pron

1. [escasa cantidad] (singular) little, not much;

* * *

poco

I adj sg little, not much; pl few, not many;

un poco de a little;

unos pocos a few

II adv little;

trabaja poco he doesn’t work much;

ahora se ve muy poco it’s seldom seen now;

estuvo poco por aquí he wasn’t around much;

poco conocido little known;

poco a poco little by little;

dentro de poco soon, shortly;

hace poco a short time ago, not long ago;

desde hace poco (for) a short while;

por poco nearly, almost;

¡a poco no lo hacemos! Méx don’t tell me we’re not doing it;

de a poco me fui tranquilizando Rpl little by little I calmed down;

por si fuera poco as if that weren’t o wasn’t enough

III m

:

un poco a little, a bit

* * *

poco adv

1) : little, not much

poco probable: not very likely

come poco: he doesn't eat much

2) : a short time, a while

tardaremos poco: we won't be very long

3)

poco antes : shortly before

4)

poco después : shortly after

poco, -ca adj

1) : little, not much, (a) few

tengo poco dinero: I don't have much money

en no pocas ocasiones: on more than a few occasions

poca gente: few people

2)

pocas veces : rarely

poco, -ca pron

1) : little, few

le falta poco para terminar: he's almost finished

uno de los pocos que quedan: one of the remaining few

2)

un poco : a little, a bit

un poco de vino: a little wine

un poco extraño: a bit strange

3)

a poco Mex (used to express disbelief)

¿a poco no se te hizo difícil?: you mean you didn't find it difficult?

4)

de a poco : little by little

5)

hace poco : not long ago

6)

poco a poco : little by little

7)

dentro de poco : shortly, in a little while

8)

por poco : nearly, almost

* * *

poco¹ adj

1. (singular) not much

hay poco café there's not much coffee

has comido poco arroz you haven't eaten much rice

2. (plural) few / not many

tiene pocos amigos he has few friends / he hasn't got many friends

muy poco very little

hay muy poco té there's very little tea

poco² adv

1. (con verbos) not much

trabaja poco he doesn't work much

2. (no mucho tiempo) not long

estuve con él hace poco I was with him not long ago

llegó poco después she arrived not long after

3. (con adjetivos) not very

es poco simpática she's not very friendly

poco a poco little by little

por poco nearly

por poco se cae he nearly fell

por poco pierdo el tren I nearly missed the train

poco³ n a little / a bit

un poco de pan a bit of bread

un poco de agua a little water

tengo de sobra, toma un poco I've got plenty, take a little

poco⁴ pron

1. (singular) not much

compra café, que queda muy poco buy some coffee, there's not much left

2. (plural) few / not many

¿cuántos vinieron? pocos how many came? not many

Ex: The minutely detailed classification is of the type appropriate to an extensive collection.

Ex: Serial searching for a string of characters is usually performed on a small subset of a large file.

Ex: Surely these innovations already have and will continue to bring deep and wide-sweeping change to our profession - and because of their rapidity, these changes will be sudden and often tumultuous.

Ex: Comment published so far is favourable, but the code still awaits widespread adoption.

Ex: In 'upper town' streets are broad, quiet, and tree-shaded; the homes are tall and heavy and look like battleships, each anchored in its private sea of grass.

Ex: In the questionnaire young people answered that the bookshops in their town were airy, well-lit and very pleasant shops to visit.

Ex: The broad tree-lined streets with large Victorian homes surrounded by ample greenery on what were once the outskirts of town -- the gracious and expansive habitations of the wealthy mill and factory owners -- gradually yield to a miscellany of recent bungalows, modest cottages, and modern apartment buildings.

Ex: This is an efficient method of storing large amounts of programs and data, which is faster, more reliable and much more capacious than the floppy disc.

Ex: With no other type of structure is it possible to obtain clear, widespan coverage of almost unlimited areas, translucency to permit uniform daylight, and transportability or relocatability.

Ex: Appraisal is the single most important function performed by an archivist because it has wide-reaching and everlasting social implications.

Ex: The broad tree-lined streets with large Victorian homes surrounded by ample greenery on what were once the outskirts of town -- the gracious and expansive habitations of the wealthy mill and factory owners -- gradually yield to a miscellany of recent bungalows, modest cottages, and modern apartment buildings.

Ex: The brief abstracts and extended abstracts of papers, not published in full in the proceedings, are excluded.

Ex: Located in an isolated section of the Southwest, Los Pasos sits under the brassy sun on a wide plain below a low range of hills.

Ex: Except for the principal no one besides the librarian has such a wide-angle view of the school's instructional programme.

Ex: His offices and warehouses were one of the first designs which was subsequently described as loose fit, low energy building.

Ex: With roomy interiors and flexible seating, minivans are some of the most versatile vehicles for carrying passengers and cargo.

* cada vez más amplio = ever-widening.

* demasiado amplio = overwide [over-wide].

* desde un punto de vista más amplio = in a broader sense.

* en el sentido más amplio = in the broadest sense, in the widest sense.

* en su sentido más amplio = in its/their broadest sense, in its/their widest sense.

* en un sentido más amplio = in a broader sense, in a larger sense.

* horario de apertura más amplio = extended hours.

* una amplia gama de = a wide variety of, a wide range of, a broad variety of, a broad range of.

* una amplia variedad de = a broad variety of, a wide range of, a broad range of.

 

Del verbo ampliar: ( conjugate ampliar)

amplío es:


amplió es:


Multiple Entries:
ampliar    
amplio
ampliar ( conjugate ampliar) verbo transitivo

‹ negocio› to expand


‹ explicación› to expand (on);
‹ campo de acción› to widen, broaden;



amplio


‹ casa› spacious;
‹vestido/abrigo› loose-fitting;
‹ sonrisa› broad


una amplia gama de colores a wide range of colors

ampliar verbo transitivo
1 (hacer más largo un plazo) to extend
2 (hacer más grande un edificio) to enlarge
3 (extender un negocio) to expand
4 (una fotografía) to enlarge, to blow up
5 (el campo de acción) to widen: los sindicatos proponen ampliar las sanciones a los defraudadores, the unions propose greater penalties for those committing fraud
amplio,-a adjetivo
1 large, roomy
2 (ancho, profundo, variado) wide, broad ➣ Ver nota en ancho
' amplio' also found in these entries:
Spanish:
amplia
- ancha
- ancho
- dilatada
- dilatado
- espectro
- nave
English:
ample
- extensive
- large
- roomy
- spacious
- sweep
- vocabulary
- wide
- all
- broad
- comfortable
- smock
- sweeping
[avenida] wide; [ventaja, capacidad] considerable;

1. 2. 1. 2.

Ex: The great storyteller, FC Sayers, having advised the beginner to 'steep himself in folklore until the elemental themes are part of himself,' explains how best to get command of a tale.

Ex: It is not sufficient merely to describe the processes that govern the creation and generation of indexing and abstracting data.

Ex: Cases keep discussion grounded on certain persistent facts that must be faced, and keep a realistic rein on airy flights of academic speculation.

Ex: Costs can be kept within reasonable bounds if a method appropriate to the specific application is chosen.

Ex: Ideally it should be possible to include some form of student assessment or to monitor the student's progress.

Ex: Built into each operator are sets of instructions to the computer which regulate where the term must appear in the printed entries generated from the string, typefaces, and necessary punctuation.

Ex: After a couple of months, I had his overall behavior pretty well pegged.

Ex: For many centuries local authorities have been responsible for policing Weights and Measures Acts and regulations and, where a breach of legislation was uncovered, would prosecute in the criminal court.

Ex: The library director strove to master his frustration.

Ex: Very few engravers commanded the necessary artistry.

Ex: The reference librarian must always resist an impulse to be glib; he must scourge and throttle his vanity; he must reach a conclusion rather than begin with it.

Ex: Activities such as gardening or cookery are dealt with in many books in ways which go far beyond the simple keeping down of weeds or just filling empty stomachs.

Ex: This article discusses some strategies that are being developed to stem the tide of losses caused worldwide by piracy.

Ex: But the unions were able to add their weight to the authority of the parliamentary investigators in bringing the worst excesses of unregulated apprenticeship and of working conditions under control = No obstante, los sindicatos pudieron reforzar la autoridad de los investigadores parlamentarios para controlar los peores excesos que se cometían en el aprendizaje de un oficio y las condiciones laborales sin regularizar.

Ex: The library staff consists of 6 professional librarians and 11 clerical workers, all of whom are held firmly in line by the forceful personality of the director, a retired military colonel.

Ex: Gradually many of these conquerors came to realize that, although military might was necessary to gain control over an area, sheer force of arms was not sufficient to govern effectively.

Ex: The article ' Getting a grip on change' argues that only by confronting the challenges and inevitability of change can libraries retain their relevancy in the information age.

Ex: This trend may also be explained by the hegemony of those who hold the reins of international publication.

Ex: The article is entitled 'Microfilm retrieval system corrals paper flood for Ameritech publishing'.

Ex: The physical effort of keeping tabs on people as well as the distasteful practice of checking up on staff output achieves nothing and may do considerable damage.

Ex: The physical effort of keeping tabs on people as well as the distasteful practice of checking up on staff output achieves nothing and may do considerable damage.

Ex: Influence and control is currently wielded by sterile professionals who are blind to the need to develop services beyond print.

Ex: This ideology appealed widely to the librarian as well as the library user and held sway for nearly a quarter of a millennium when, in 1841, a catalytic event in the history of cataloging took place.

Ex: The implementation of this system would enable law enforcement agencies to wiretap all digital communication.

Ex: The standpatters argue, and the progressives agree, that the tax line must be held in the interest of attracting industry = Los conservadores proponen y los progresistas están de acuerdo en que se deben contener los impuestos para atraer a la industria.

Ex: A study of telly-addicts has found that in 45 per cent of homes mums keep a tight hold on the remote control.

Ex: Five years after they took control of war-ravaged Afghanistan, reconstruction remains a job half done.

Ex: Adapting to change -- and staying on top of the changes -- is a huge key to success in industry.

Ex: This section of the book is all about how to stay in control of your personal information.

Ex: If librarians hope to rein in escalating periodical prices, they must become more assertive consumers.

Ex: The longer a fart is held in, the larger the proportion of inert nitrogen it contains, because the other gases tend to be absorbed into the bloodstream through the walls of the intestine.

* controlar aún más = tighten + Posesivo + grip on.

* controlar el presupuesto = control + the purse strings.

* controlar la economía = control + the purse strings.

* controlar las finanzas = control + the purse strings.

* controlar la situación = tame + the beast.

* controlar los gastos = control + costs, contain + costs.

* controlarlo todo = have + a finger in every pie.

 

Multiple Entries:
controlar    
controlar algo
controlar ( conjugate controlar) verbo transitivo
1 ‹nervios/impulsos/persona› to control;
‹ incendio› to bring … under control;

pasaron a controlar la empresa they took control of the company
2 ‹inflación/proceso› to monitor;
‹ persona› to keep a check on;

controlé el tiempo que me llevó I timed how long it took me
3 ( regular) ‹presión/inflación› to control
controlarse verbo pronominal ( dominarse) to control oneself;
( vigilar) ‹peso/colesterol› to check, monitor
controlar verbo transitivo
1 to control
2 (comprobar) to check
' controlar' also found in these entries:
Spanish:
dominar
- fraude
- manejar
- potingue
- sujetar
- contener
English:
control
- grip
- hold down
- manage
- monitor
- regiment
- spot-check
- stamp out
- check
- discipline
- help
- unruly
Fam [saber] to know;

EN Como preposición de lugar, en se traduce normalmente por on, in o at. La elección de una de estas tres preposiciones depende a menudo de cómo percibe el hablante la relación espacial. He aquí unas líneas generales: ► Se traduce por on cuando en equivale a encima de o nos referimos a algo que se percibe como una superficie o una línea, por ejemplo una mesa, una carretera {etc}: "¿Has visto mi vestido?" - "Está en la tabla de planchar" "Have you seen my dress?" - "It's on the ironing-board" Estaban tumbados en la playa They were lying on the beach Está construyendo una casa en la colina He's building a house on the hill ... un pueblo en la costa oeste...... a village on the west coast... La gasolinera está en la carretera que va a Motril The petrol station is on the road to Motril Dibujó un león en la hoja de papel He drew a lion on the piece of paper Tiene un grano en la nariz He has a spot on his nose Lo vi en la tele I saw him on TV ► Se usa in cuando equivale a dentro de o cuando nos referimos a un espacio que se percibe como limitado (calle, montañas, etc): Tus gafas están en mi bolso Your glasses are in my bag Tienes una pestaña en el ojo You've got an eyelash in your eye Lo leí en un libro I read it in a book Se han comprado un chalet en la sierra They've bought a chalet in the mountains Viven en la calle de Serrano They live in the Calle de Serrano ► Lo traducimos por at para referirnos a un edificio cuando hablamos de la actividad que normalmente se realiza en él o cuando en indica un lugar concreto. También se traduce por at cuando en la dirección incluimos el número o el nombre de la casa: ¿Por qué no comemos en el restaurante de tu hermano? Why don't we have lunch at your brother's restaurant? Voy a pasar el día en el museo I'm going to spend the day at the museum Te espero en la parada del autobús I'll meet you at the bus-stop Vivimos en la calle Dale nº 12 We live at 12 Dale Street Para otros usos y ejemplos ver la entrada

Ex: When one is in place, the depression of a lever causes it to be photographed onto the next blank space.

Ex: The application of a classification scheme to a set of documents should result in the ordering or arranging of that set of documents into groups or classes according to their subject content.

Ex: He also resolved to talk with Cleo Passantino, a young librarian who had been at the library for three years and with whom he had had little contact.

Ex: Throughout this chapter the term 'document' is used to refer to any item which might be found in a library or information center or data base.

* en absoluto = at all, in the slightest, whatsoever, not at all, in any shape or form.

* en abstracto = abstractly.

* en abundancia = in plenty, liberally, in abundance, exuberantly, in profusion, aplenty [a-plenty], prodigiously, plentifully.

* en activo = practising [practicing, -USA].

* en adelante = forward [forwards].

* en agradecimiento por = appreciative of.

* en alerta roja = on red alert.

* en alguna ocasión = on any one occasion.

* en alguna parte = someplace.

* en alguna parte de + Nombre = some way down + Nombre.

* en algún lugar = somewhere, at some point.

* en algún lugar (de por ahí) = somewhere out there.

* en algún momento = somewhere along the line, sometime, at sometime, at some point, at some point in time, at one time or another.

* en algunos casos = in some cases.

* en algunos grupos = in some quarters.

* en algunos grupos de la población = in some quarters.

* en algunos sectores = in some quarters.

* en algunos sectores de la población = in some quarters.

* en algunos sentidos = in some respects.

* en algunos sitios = in places.

* en alquiler = rented.

* en alta mar = on the open sea, offshore, on the high seas.

* en alza = on the upswing.

* en ambas direcciones = two-way.

* en ambos casos = in either case, in either instance.

* en ángulo = angled.

* en ángulo recto = at right angles.

* en antaño = in olden times, in olden days.

* en antelación = anticipatory.

* en anticipación = anticipatory.

* en años anteriores = in prior years, in years past, in past years.

* en apariencia = apparently, looking, seemingly, on the face of it, on the surface, ostensibly.

* en apenas nada = in no time at all, in next to no time, in no time.

* en apoyo a = in support of.

* en apuros = hard-pressed, beleaguered, in deep trouble, in difficulties, if it comes to the crunch, when push comes to shove, when it comes to the crunch, when the worst comes to the worst, if the worst comes to the worst, in deep water, in hot water, in dire straits.

* en aquel entonces = at the time, the then + Nombre, by this time, at that time, in the course of events, during the course of events, back then, in those days.

* en aquella época = at the time, at that time, in those days.

* en aquellas ocasiones cuando = on occasions when.

* en aquellos casos = in those cases.

* en aquellos casos en los que = in those cases where.

* en aquellos tiempos = at the time, the then + Nombre, by this time, in those days.

* en aquel momento = at the time, the then + Nombre, by this time, at that time.

* en aras a = in the name of.

* en aras de = in the interest(s) of.

* en armonía = harmoniously, in harmony.

* en armonía con = in harmony with, in harness with, in keeping with, in tune with, in sync with.

* en ascuas = on tenterhooks.

* en auge = in ascendancy, buoyant, booming, on the rise, at high tide.

* en aumento = burgeoning, growing, increasing, mounting, rising, on the rise, heightening.

* en aumento gradual = gradually quickening.

* en Babia = absent-minded.

* en balde = in vain, vainly, to no avail, of no avail.

* en bandada = in full force.

* en bandadas = in droves.

* en base a = in terms of, on the grounds that/of, on the basis of.

* en beneficio de = for the benefit of, to the benefit of.

* en beneficio propio = to + Posesivo + advantage.

* en bisel = angled.

* en blanco = blankly, blank.

* en blanco y negro = b&w (black and white).

* en bloque = en bloc.

* en boga = in vogue, in fashion, voguish.

* en bolas = stark naked, in the nod, in the buff.

* en breve = shortly, the long and (the) short of, soon [sooner -comp., soonest -sup.].

* en broma = teasingly.

* en buena compañía = in good company.

* en buena condición = in good condition, in good shape, in good nick.

* en buena forma = in good nick.

* en buena parte = for the most part.

* en buenas condiciones para navegar = seaworthy.

* en buenas manos = in a safe place, in safekeeping.

* en buen estado = in good condition, in good working condition, in good shape, in good nick.

* en buen estado de funcionamiento = in good working condition.

* en busca de quimeras = in pursuit of + windmills.

* en búsqueda de = a quest for.

* en cada fase = at each stage.

* en caída = flowing.

* en caja = boxed.

* en caliente = in the heat of the moment, on the spur of the moment.

* en cama = abed.

* en cambio = by contrast, in contrast, instead, shifting, by comparison.

* en camino = on the way.

* en cantidad = bulk.

* en + Cantidad + años = in + Cantidad + years' time.

* en capilla = on tenterhooks, in suspense.

* en carnavales = carnivalistically.

* en carne y hueso = in the flesh.

* en casa = in the home.

* en casa de herrero cuchillo de palo = the cobbler's children run barefoot.

* en casi nada = in no time at all, in next to no time, in no time.

* en casi todos los + Nombre = in just about every + Nombre.

* en caso de darse circunstancias ajenas a + Posesivo + control = in the event of circumstances beyond + Posesivo + control.

* en caso de emergencia = in an emergency, in an emergency situation.

* en caso de fuerza mayor = in the event of circumstances beyond + Posesivo + control.

* en CD-ROM = CD-ROM-based.

* en chirona = behind bars.

* en ciernes = developing, budding, in the making.

* en cierta medida = to some extent, to a certain extent, to some degree.

* en ciertas circunstancias = in certain circumstances.

* en ciertas ocasiones = at certain times.

* en cierto grado = something of.

* en cierto modo = to some extent, after a fashion, to a certain extent, in a manner of speaking, so to speak, to some degree.

* en cierto modo + Verbo = sort of + Verbo.

* en ciertos casos = in certain cases.

* en cierto sentido = in several respects, to some extent, in a sense, in some respects, to some degree.

* en circuito cerrado = looped.

* en círcuitos de segunda categoría = in the provinces.

* en circuitos de segundo orden = in the provinces.

* en circumstancias difíciles = under difficult circumstances.

* en circunstancias misteriosas = in mysterious circumstances.

* en circunstancias normales = in the course of events, during the course of events, under normal circumstances.

* en circusntancias normales = in the normal run of things.

* en coche = drive.

* en colaboración = collaborative, cooperative [co-operative], jointly, participatory, in concert, in consort, collaboratively, synergistic, synergistically, in tandem, in a tandem fashion, in partnership.

* en colaboración con = in concert with, in consultation with, in collaboration with, in alliance with, in conjunction with, in partnership with.

* en colaboración con, junto con, de manera conjunta con = in partnership with.

* en color = coloured [colored, -USA], full-colour.

* en columnas = columnar.

* en colusión con = in collusion with, in complicity with, in connivance with.

* en coma = comatose.

* en combinación con = in parallel to/with, in combination with.

* en comisión de servicios = seconded.

* en comparación = by comparison.

* en comparación con = against, as compared to, set against, in comparison with, in comparison to.

* en compensación = compensatory.

* en complicidad con = in cahoots (with), in complicity with, in complicity with, in collusion with, in connivance with.

* en común con = in common with.

* en conciencia = in good conscience.

* en conclusión = in conclusion.

* en concordancia con = in accordance with, in accord with.

* en concreto = in particular, to be specific.

* en condiciones = decent.

* en condiciones de = in the position to.

* en condiciones de igualdad = on an equal footing, on equal terms, on an equal basis.

* en condiciones difíciles = under difficult conditions.

* en conexión con = in respect of.

* en confidencia = in confidence.

* en conflicto (con) = in conflict (with).

* en conformidad con = in conformity with, in keeping with.

* en conjunción con = in conjunction with, in tandem with.

* en conjunto = altogether, on balance, bulk, all in all, overall, overall.

* en conmemoración de = in celebration of, commemorative.

* en connivencia = colluding.

* en connivencia con = in collusion with, in cahoots (with), in complicity with, in connivance with.

* en consecuencia = accordingly, consequently, hence, in consequence, as a consequence (of), it follows that, on this basis, on that basis, in doing so.

* en consecuencia lógica = by implication.

* en consideración = under consideration.

* en consideración a = for the sake of, out of consideration for, out of respect for.

* en consonacia con = in line with.

* en consonancia con = in concert with, in keeping with, in step with, in tune with, in consonance with.

* en constante cambio = ever-changing [ever changing], ever-fluid, on the move, fast changing [fast-changing], ever-shifting.

* en constante expansión = ever-expanding, ever-growing.

* en constante movimiento = on the move, on the go.

* en construcción = under development, under construction.

* en contacto = in communication.

* en contacto con la realidad = in touch with + reality.

* en contadas ocasiones = rarely, seldom, on rare occasions.

* en contenedor = containerised [containerized, -USA].

* en continua expansión = expanding.

* en continuo aumento = ever-increasing.

* en continuo cambio = constantly shifting, ever-changing [ever changing], ever-shifting.

* en contra = counterpoint, against.

* en contra de la guerra = antiwar [anti-war].

* en contra de la opinión general = contrary to popular belief.

* en contra de la raza blanca = anti-white [antiwhite].

* en contra de la raza negra = antiblack [anti-black].

* en contra de las circunstancias = against circumstances.

* en contra de las instituciones = anti-establishment.

* en contra del gobierno = anti-government.

* en contraposición a = as opposed to, in contrast (to/with), in contradistinction to.

* en contraste con = in contrast (to/with).

* en contravención de = in contravention of.

* en contubernio (con) = in cahoots (with).

* en cooperación = cooperative [co-operative].

* en cooperación con = in cooperation with.

* en cooperativa = cooperatively [co-operatively].

* en costras = caked.

* en crisis = depressed, crisis-ridden, on the rocks.

* en cuadernillo = in booklet form.

* en cualquier caso = for that matter, in any event, in any case, in either case.

* en cualquier domingo = on any given Sunday.

* en cualquier lugar = everywhere, anywhere.

* en cualquier momento = anytime, at any one time, at any point, at any point in time, at any time, at any moment, at any given point, at any moment in time, at any given moment, momentarily, on any given Sunday.

* en cualquier momento en el futuro = at some stage.

* en cualquier orden = either way round.

* en cualquier otra circunstancia = in the normal run of things, in the normal run of events.

* en cualquier otra parte = anywhere else, everywhere else.

* en cualquier otra situación = in the normal run of things, in the normal run of events.

* en cualquier otro lugar = anywhere else, everywhere else.

* en cualquier otro momento = some other time.

* en cualquier otro sitio = anywhere else.

* en cualquier parte = anywhere, everywhere.

* en cualquier sitio = everywhere, anywhere.

* en cualquier situación = in any given situation.

* en + Cuantificador + aspectos = in + Cuantificador + respects.

* en + Cuantificador + sentidos = in + Cuantificador + respects.

* en cuanto a = as to, in extent of, in regard to, in terms of, in the way of, with regard(s) to, as for, as regards, as to the matter of, in reference to, now as to, moving on to.

* en cuanto a él = as for him.

* en cuanto a ella = as for her.

* en cuanto a ellos = as for them.

* en cuanto a los hechos = factually.

* en cuanto a mí = as for me.

* en cuanto a nosotros = as for us.

* en cuanto a ti = as for you.

* en cuanto a usted = as for you.

* en cuanto a vosotros = as for you.

* en cuanto + nacer = at birth.

* en cuanto que = in that.

* en cuarto lugar = fourthly.

* en cuatro niveles = quadraplaner.

* en cuclicllas = in a squatting position.

* en cuclillas = squat, in a squat position, in a crouching position.

* en cueros = in the buff, in the nod, stark naked.

* en cuestión = at hand, concerned, in hand, individual, at issue, of concern.

* en cuestión de minutos = within minutes, in a matter of minutes.

* en cuestión de segundos = within seconds, in a matter of seconds.

* en cuestión de + Tiempo = in a matter of + Tiempo, within a matter of + Tiempo.

* en cuestiones de = in matters of.

* en cumplimiento con = in line with, in compliance with.

* en cursiva = in italic type.

* en curso = in process, underway [under way], in progress, ongoing [on-going], afoot, current, under preparation.

* en curso de = in course of.

* en cuyo caso = in which case.

* en danza = on the run.

* en decadencia = bankrupt.

* en defensa propia = in self-defence.

* en definitiva = in all, all in all, in the last analysis, in the final analysis, all things considered.

* en definitiva, bien mirado, bien considerado = all things considered.

* en demanda = in-demand.

* en demasía = excess, to excess, excessively.

* en desacuerdo = disapproving, at odds.

* en desacuerdo con = at odds with.

* en desarmonía con = out of tune with, out of keeping with.

* en desarrollo = evolving, under development.

* en descomposición = decaying, putrefying.

* en desesperación = despairing, in despair.

* en desuso = obsolete, disused.

* en detalle = at length.

* en deterioro = deteriorating, crumbling, decaying, dilapidated, disintegrating.

* en determinadas ocasiones = sometimes, on particular occasions.

* en detrimento de = to the detriment of, to + Posesivo + detriment, to the neglect of.

* en diagonal = herringbone.

* en días alternos = every other day.

* en diferente grado = differing, in varying measures.

* en diferente medida = differing, in varying measures.

* en diferentes momentos = at various times, at different times.

* en diferentes ocasiones = at different times, at various times.

* en dificultades = stranded.

* en dinero = monetised [monetized, -pl.].

* en dirección de la proa = abaft.

* en dirección este = eastward(s), eastbound.

* en dirección norte = northbound.

* en dirección oeste = westbound, westward(s).

* en dirección sur = southward(s), southbound.

* en disco = ondisc.

* en disminución = dwindling, on the wane.

* en + Distancia + a la redonda = within + Distancia.

* en distinta medida = differing, in varying measures.

* en distintas ocasiones = at different times, at various times, on several occasions.

* en distinto grado = in varying measures, differing, to varying degrees.

* en distintos formatos = multiform.

* en distintos momentos = at different times, at various times.

* en diversas lenguas = multilingually.

* en diversas ocasiones = on several occasions.

* en diverso grado = to varying extents, to varying degrees.

* en diversos formatos = multiform.

* en donde = where, wherein.

* en dos años = over a two-year period.

* en dos lenguas = bilingually.

* en dos niveles = split-level.

* en dos palabras = in a nutshell, in a nutshell.

* en dos volúmenes = two-volume.

* en duda = in doubt.

* en edad de trabajar = working-age.

* en efecto = to all intents and purposes, for all intents and purposes.

* en ejercicio = incumbent, practising [practicing, -USA].

* en el abandono = in the wilderness.

* en el acto = ipso facto, outright, on the spot, while-you-wait [while-u-wait], at the drop of a hat.

* en el aire = in mid-air, airborne.

* en el ámbito de = in the realm of.

* en el año catapún = in the dim and distant past.

* en el año del Señor = in the year of our Lord.

* en el año entrante = in the coming year.

* en el año próximo = in the coming year.

* en el año venidero = in the coming year.

* en el área de + Lugar = Lugar + area.

* en el asiento de atrás = in the back seat.

* en el asiento trasero = in the back seat.

* en el aula de clase = classroom-based.

* en el banquillo = on the bench.

* en el blanco de mira = in the spotlight, in the crosshairs.

* en el camino = along the way, en route, in the process.

* en el campo de = in the realm of, in the field of.

* en el campus universitario = campus-based.

* en el candelero = in the spotlight.

* en el cargo = in the saddle, in office.

* en el caso de = for, in association with, in the case of, in the event of, in case of, in the context of.

* en (el) caso de que = in the event that, should, in case.

* en el caso poco probable de que = in the unlikely case (that).

* en el centro de = at the heart of.

* en el cine = at the movies.

* en el clima actual de = in the present climate of.

* en el contexto de = in the realm of.

* en el culo = in the bottom.

* en el culo del mundo = in the arse of nowhere.

* en el curso de la historia = in the course of history.

* en el curso normal de = in the mainstream of.

* en el curso normal de las cosas = in the normal run of things, in the normal run of events.

* en el curso normal de las cosas, en el curso normal de los acontecimientos, = in the normal run of things.

* en el curso normal de los acontecimientos = in the normal run of events, in the normal run of things.

* en el desierto = in the wilderness.

* en el detalle = in detail.

* en el día a día = in the day to day, in the trenches.

* en el dique seco = in dry dock, in the wilderness.

* en el eje = at the core (of).

* en el entorno de = in the realm of.

* en el escenario = on stage.

* en el escenario mundial = on the world stage.

* en el espacio = spatially.

* en el estricto sentido de la palabra = strictly speaking.

* en el estudio = at study, at study.

* en el extranjero = abroad, overseas, offshore.

* en el extremo opuesto = at the far end.

* en el fin de semana = over the weekend, over the weekend, at the weekend.

* en el foco de atención = in the spotlight.

* en el fondo = at heart, deep down, in the back of + Posesivo + mind, in the back of + Posesivo + head, at the back of + Posesivo + head, bottom line, the, in the bottom.

* en el fondo de = at the root of.

* en el futuro = Número + Tiempo + ahead, down the road, in future, in time(s) to come, at + future date, in (the) years to come, at some future time, in the years to come, in the years ahead, in years to come, at some future point, in the future, for future reference, for the years to come.

* en el futuro a largo plazo = in the long-term future.

* en el futuro cercano = in the foreseeable future.

* en el futuro inmediato = in the offing, in the foreseeable future.

* en el futuro lejano = further in the future.

* en el haber de Uno = under + Posesivo + belt.

* en el horario de trabajo = on company time.

* en el horizonte = on the horizon.

* en el hospital = at the bedside.

* en el improbable caso de que = in the unlikely case (that).

* en el instante en que + Subjuntivo = the moment + Verbo.

* en el ínterin = in the interim, in the intervening years, in the intervening period, ad interim.

* en el juego = at play.

* en el lado negativo = on the debit side, on the negative side, on the downside.

* en el lado positivo = on the credit side, on the positive side, on the plus side, on the bright side.

* en ello = therein, thereupon [thereon].

* en el lugar del accidente = at the scene, at the scene of the accident.

* en el lugar de los hechos = at the scene.

* en el mandato = in office.

* en el mando = at the wheel.

* en el mar = at sea.

* en el marco de = within the ambit of, within the bounds of.

* en el más allá = dead and gone.

* en el mayor secreto = a veil of secrecy.

* en el mejor de los casos = at best, at most, ideally, in the best of circumstances, the best case scenario, at the most, at the best of times, at the very best.

* en el mejor momento de Uno = at + Posesivo + (very) best.

* en el mismo centro (de) = plumb in the middle (of).

* en el mismo número de años = in as many years.

* en el mismo orden que = in sync with.

* en el momento = on the spot.

* en el momento actual = in this day and age, at the present time.

* en el momento adecuado = at the right time.

* en el momento de = at the time (that/of).

* en el momento de escribir estas líneas = at the time of writing.

* en el momento de la impresión = at the time of going to print.

* en el momento en que se necesita = at the point-of-need, at the point of use, point of use.

* en el momento en que + Subjuntivo = the moment + Verbo.

* en el momento justo = on cue.

* en el momento más débil de Alguien = at + Posesivo + weakest.

* en el momento oportuno = at the right time, not a moment too soon, not a minute too soon.

* en el momento peor de Alguien = at + Posesivo + weakest.

* en el mundo = on the face of the earth, on the world stage.

* en el mundo antiguo = in antiquity.

* en el mundo entero = all over the world, worldwide [world-wide], all around the world, throughout the world, around the planet, the world over.

* en el mundo que nos rodea = out there.

* en el nivel básico = at grass roots level.

* en el nivel intermedio de = in the middle range of.

* en el nivel medio de = in the middle range of.

* en el norte del estado = upstate.

* en el núcleo = at the core (of).

* en el ocaso = over the hill.

* en el ojo del huracán = in the eye of the storm, in the eye of the hurricane.

* en el orden del día = on the agenda.

* en el origen (de) = in the early days (of).

* en el otro extremo = at the other extreme.

* en el otro extremo de la escala = at the other end of the scale, at the other end of the spectrum, at the other extreme.

* en el país de los ciegos el tuerto es el rey = in the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king, in the country of the blind, the one-eyed man is king, in the kingdom of the blind, the one-eyed man is king.

* en el país de los ciegos el tuerto es el rey = be a case of the blind leading the blind.

* en el pasado = in the past, in past eras, at some point in the past, in years gone by, in days gone by, in former times.

* en el pasado remoto = in the dim and distant past.

* en el peor de los casos = at worst, in the worst of circumstances, at + Posesivo + very worst, the worst case scenario, at + Posesivo + worst, in the worst case.

* en el período penoso de = in the throes of.

* en el período previo a = in the run up to, during the run up to.

* en el piso de abajo = downstairs.

* en el piso de arriba = upstairs.

* en el poder = in office.

* en el primer caso = in the former case.

* en el proceso = in the process.

* en el propio campus universitario = campus-based.

* en el propio cortijo = on-farm.

* en el próximo año = in the year ahead, in the coming year.

* en el puesto de dirección = in the hot seat.

* en el punto álgido de = at the height of.

* en el punto de mira = in the spotlight, in the crosshairs.

* en el que = wherein.

* en el que se puede buscar = searchable.

* en el quinto coño = in the arse of nowhere.

* en el quinto pino = in the arse of nowhere.

* en el quirófano = under the knife.

* en el resto = everywhere else.

* en el resto de = elsewhere.

* en el seguimiento de = in the pursuit of.

* en el segundo caso = in the latter case.

* en el seno de = within, among.

* en el sentido de las agujas del reloj = clockwise.

* en el sentido de que = in the sense that, along the lines that, in that.

* en el sentido más amplio = in the broadest sense, in the widest sense.

* en el sentido más general = in the broadest sense.

* en el sentido que = in which.

* en el timón = in the saddle.

* en el trabajo = on-the-job, at work.

* en el transcurso de = throughout the course of, throughout the course of, in the course of, during the course of, over the course of, throughout.

* en el transcurso de algunos años = over a period of years.

* en el transcurso de la historia = in the course of history.

* en el transcurso de los siglos = over the course of the centuries.

* en el transcurso normal de + Posesivo + vida(s) = in the normal course of + Posesivo + life/lives.

* en el trasfondo de = at the root of.

* en el último caso = in the latter case.

* en el último minuto = last minute [last-minute], at the last minute.

* en el último momento = at the eleventh hour, at the very last minute, at the very last moment, at the very last, at the last minute.

* en el umbral de = on the threshold of.

* en el vuelo = in-flight.

* en entrante = recessed.

* en entredicho = under challenge.

* en episodios = episodic.

* en época de carnaval = carnivalistically.

* en época de feria = carnivalistically.

* en época de paz = in peacetime, during peacetime.

* en épocas anteriores = in former times, in past eras.

* en épocas de = in times of.

* en épocas de guerra = in time(s) of war.

* en épocas de paz = in time(s) of peace.

* en épocas de prosperidad económica = in affluent times.

* en épocas difíciles = in times of need.

* en épocas pasadas = in past ages.

* en escamas = flaky.

* en ese caso = in that case.

* en ese mismo instante = at that very moment.

* en ese mismo momento = at that very moment.

* en ese momento = at that point, at this point, at that time, just then, at that point in time.

* en esencia = in essence, essentially.

* en ese sentido = on that score, to that effect.

* en esos casos = in those cases.

* en espacios cerrados = indoors.

* en especial = especially (specially), notably, specially (especially).

* en especie = in kind.

* en espera = on hold.

* en espiga = herringbone.

* en esta coyuntura = at this juncture.

* en estado = pregnant, in the family way.

* en estado de abandono = decaying, dilapidated, dilapidated.

* en estado de alerta = on alert.

* en estado de alerta, de guardia = on standby.

* en estado de buena esperanza = pregnant, in the family way.

* en estado de cambio = in a state of flux.

* en estado de descomposición = decaying.

* en estado de deterioro = decaying, dilapidated.

* en estado de reserva = on standby.

* en estado de reserva, en estado de alerta, de guardia = on standby.

* en estado de sitio = in a state of siege, under siege.

* en estado embrionario = embryo, embryonic, in embryonic stage, in embryo, in the embryo stage.

* en esta época del año = around this time of year.

* en esta ocasión = on this occasion.

* en estas circunstancias = under these circumstances.

* en esta situación = at this juncture.

* en este caso = in this case.

* en este contexto = against this background.

* en este documento = herein, herewith, hereto.

* en este extremo = to this extent.

* en este grado = to this extent.

* en este mismo sentido = along the same lines.

* en este momento = at this point, at this stage, at this juncture, at this time, at this moment in time, right now.

* en este período = in the course of events, during the course of events.

* en este sentido = along these lines, in this connection, in this direction, in this sense, in this vein, in this spirit, in this regard, in this effort, in that spirit, on this score, to that effect.

* en estos casos = in these cases.

* en estos días = today, these days.

* en estos tiempos = in these times, in this day and age.

* en estrecha colaboración = in close collaboration.

* en estrecha colaboración con = hand-in-glove with.

* en estuche = boxed.

* en excelente estado = in tip-top condition, in tip-top form.

* en excelentes condiciones = in tip-top condition, in tip-top form.

* en exceso = overflow, overflowing, excessively, excess, to excess.

* en exclusiva = exclusively.

* en existencia = in existence.

* en expansión = expanded.

* en exposición = on exhibit, on show, on display.

* en + Expresión Temporal = as of + Expresión Temporal, come + Expresión Temporal.

* en extensión = in length.

* en extenso = at length, in full.

* en extremo = no end, to no end.

* en fase terminal = terminally ill.

* en favor de = in favour of.

* en flor = in full blossom, in blossom.

* en forma = fit [fitter -comp., fittest -sup.], toned.

* en forma de = in the form of, in the shape of.

* en forma de A = A-shaped.

* en forma de arco = arched, bowed.

* en forma de capa = cape-like.

* en forma de cruz = cross-shaped.

* en forma de cuadrado = square-shaped.

* en forma de cuña = wedge-shaped.

* en forma de cúpula = dome-shaped, domed.

* en forma de D = d-shaped.

* en forma de estrella = star-shaped [star shaped].

* en forma de L = L-shaped.

* en forma de libro = in book form.

* en forma de medialuna = crescent-shaped.

* en forma de parásito = parasitically.

* en forma de pera = pear-shaped.

* en forma de pirámide = pyramidal-shaped.

* en forma de trompeta = trumpet-shaped.

* en forma de U = U-shaped.

* en forma de V = V-shaped.

* en forma física = physically fit.

* en forma física y mental = physically and mentally fit.

* en forma ovalada = oval-shaped.

* en forma piramidal = pyramidal-shaped.

* en formato de libro moderno = in codex form.

* en formato digital = digitally.

* en formato electrónico = in electronic form.

* en formato MARC = in MARC form.

* en formato papel = paper-based, in hard copy.

* en frente = ahead, in front.

* en frente de = in front of.

* en funcionamiento = in operation.

* en función de = according to, as a function of, depending on/upon.

* en general = at large, by and large, for the most part, generally, in general, in the main, on balance, on the whole, overall, all in all, broadly, as a whole, generally speaking.

* en germinación = budding.

* en gestación = in the making.

* en grado mínimo = minimally.

* en gran cantidad = prodigiously.

* en grandes cantidades = en masse, in good number, in record numbers, in bulk.

* en grandes números = in record numbers.

* en gran formato = oversize, oversized.

* en gran medida = broadly, by and large, extensively, greatly, heavily, largely, to a considerable extent, to a high degree, to a large extent, tremendously, vastly, very much, keenly, in no small way, to any great degree, in many ways, in large part, in large measure, in no small measure, to a great extent, to a large degree, to a great degree.

* en gran número = numerously.

 

Multiple Entries:
en    
en.
en preposición
1 ( en expresiones de lugar)


en el último piso on the top floor;
está en la calle Goya it's on o (BrE) in Goya Street;
en casa at home




se le nota en la cara you can see it in his face
2 (expresando circunstancias, ambiente) in;

3


doctor en derecho Doctor of Law


en dólares in dollars
4


en llamas in flames, on fire


colóquense en círculo get into o in a circle


fueron en bicicleta they cycled, they went on their bikes;
dimos una vuelta en coche we went for a ride in the car
5


una escultura en bronce a bronze (sculpture)


6 ( con expresiones de tiempo):

en varias ocasiones on several occasions;
en la mañana/noche (esp AmL) in the morning/at night
7


fuí el último en salir I was the last to leave


en preposición
1 (lugar) in, on, at: nos encontramos en el autobús, we met on the bus
en Barcelona/Río, in Barcelona/Rio
en el cajón, in the drawer
en casa/el trabajo, at home/work
(sobre) en la mesa, on the table
2 (tiempo) in, on, at: cae en lunes, it falls on a Monday
en 1975, in 1975
en ese preciso instante, at that very moment
en un minuto, in a minute
en primavera, in spring
LAm en la mañana, in the morning
3 (modo) en bata, in a dressing gown
en francés, in French
en serio, seriously
4 (medio) by, in: puede venir en avión/ coche/metro/tren, she can come by air/car/tube/train
¿por qué no vienes en avión?, why don't you fly?
5 (movimiento) into: entró en la habitación, he went into the room
entró en escena, he went on stage
6 (tema, materia) at, in
es muy bueno en matemáticas, he's very good at maths
experto en finanzas, expert in finances
7 (partición, fases) in: hicimos el viaje en dos etapas, we did the journey in two stages
8 (de... en...) entraremos de tres en tres, we shall go in three by three
9 (con infinitivo) fue rápido en desenfundar, he was quick to pull out
se le nota la timidez en el hablar, you can notice his shyness by the way he speaks
'en' also found in these entries:
Spanish:
A
- abajo
- abarrotada
- abarrotado
- abasto
- abatimiento
- abdicar
- abierta
- abierto
- abogar
- abogada
- abogado
- abominar
- abonada
- abonado
- abordar
- abrir
- abreviar
- absoluta
- absoluto
- absorta
- absorto
- abstracta
- abstracto
- abstraída
- abstraído
- abuela
- abundar
- abundancia
- abundante
- abusar
- acabar
- academia
- acariciar
- acceder
- acentuar
- achantarse
- achatamiento
- achuchar
- acoger
- acomodar
- acompañar
- aconsejar
- acontecer
- acordar
- acordarse
- acostada
- acostado
- acostumbrada
- acostumbrado
English:
A
- aback
- abdicate
- abide
- ablaze
- able
- above
- above-board
- abreast
- abroad
- abscess
- absence
- absent
- absolutely
- absorbed
- abstract
- abundant
- academic
- academy
- accent
- access
- account
- accustom
- acknowledgement
- acquiesce
- acquire
- act
- acting
- action
- active
- actually
- add
- add in
- addition
- adept
- adequate
- administration
- admission
- admit
- advance
- advantage
- adventure
- advertise
- advertising
- affair
- affect
- afford
- afloat
- afraid
- after