few were willing to help

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

AYUDAR Ayudar se puede traducir por help, assist y aid. ► La manera más frecuente de traducir ayudar es por help. Si help va seguido de un verbo, este puede ir en infinitivo {con} {o} {sin} to: ¿Puedes ayudarnos? Can you help (us)? Siempre le ayuda con la tarea He always helps her with her homework ¿Me puedes ayudar a preparar la cena? Can you help me (to) get dinner ready? ► Ayudar se traduce por assist en un registro bastante más formal y se construye frecuentemente en la estructura to assist somebody with something: La comadrona ayudó al médico con el parto The midwife assisted the doctor with the delivery ► Ayudar se traduce por aid en inglés formal en el contexto de asesorar o prestar ayuda a un grupo de personas necesitadas: ... los intentos de Estados Unidos de ayudar a los refugiados kurdos...... attempts by the United States to aid Kurdish refugees... Para otros usos y ejemplos ver la entrada 1. 2. 3. 1. 2. 3.

Ex: You do not do the users a lot of good when you send them jumping all over the catalog simply to draw together material.

Ex: A common catalogue encourages users to regard the different information carrying media as part of range of media.

Ex: Librarians often work with students who possess few library skills and teachers whose assignments neither improve these skills nor enlighten the students on their research.

Ex: How can we help library users to gain confidence?.

Ex: Its purpose is to provide advice and on-site salvage assistance to those organisations having documentary resources that are damaged in a natural or man-made disaster.

Ex: There are standards which provide guidance on the construction of thesauri.

Ex: Reading aloud, in these circumstances, might be the only contact the adolescent gets with literature, tiding him over to the time when he is prepared to read for himself again.

Ex: Any project which assists the use of coal and steel would be eligible.

Ex: Jump-start your learning experience by participating in 1 or 2 half-day seminars that will help you come up to speed on the new vocabularies, processes and architectures underlying effective content management.

Ex: In a small shop the master would lend a hand with the work, certainly as a corrector and often as a compositor as well.

Ex: Sometimes one person is left with all the work because their partner doesn't pull their weight.

Ex: These centres help women rebuild lives by giving them a hand up, not a handout.

Ex: She tells a story of courage in which the crew and the mission control pull together to work the problem through.

Ex: They've all been putting their shoulder to the wheel and it's paid off.

Ex: The Bolsheviks have manfully set their shoulders to the wheel undaunted by this staggering catastrophe.

Ex: All our neighbours, relatives, friends, we all mucked in and helped each other -- they were mostly all women because all the men had gone to war.

Ex: It's up to everyone to pitch in and help those who find themselves lacking the most basic of necessities -- food.

Ex: We're asking you to 'chip in' by investing your time and talents in your parks and your community.

Ex: There are tens of thousands of hungry children in the world today and well-meant efforts are being made to succour them
.

* a quien madruga, Dios le ayuda = the early bird catches the worm.

* ayudar a = play + an instrumental role in.

* ayudar a Alguien a recuperarse = help + Nombre + get on + Posesivo + feet.

* ayudar a Alguien a salir adelante = help + Nombre + get on + Posesivo + feet.

* ayudar a comprender mejor = offer + insights, improve + understanding, give + an insight into, glean + insights, provide + insight into, lend + understanding to.

* ayudar a conocer mejor = advance + understanding.

* ayudar a eliminar obstáculos = clear + the path, clear + the way.

* ayudar a entender mejor = lend + understanding to.

* ayudar a + Infinitivo = go some (of the) way to(wards) + Gerundio.

* ayudar a la causa de = help + in the cause of.

* ayudar a + Nombre/Infinitivo = assist in + Nombre/Gerundio.

* ayudar a pasar por = get + Nombre + through.

* ayudar a superar = get + Nombre + through.

* ayudar bastante a = go + a long way (towards/to/in) + Gerundio.

* ayudar e instigar = aid and abet.

* dispuesto a ayudar = willing, willing to help.

* estar siempre dispuesto a ayudar = be always willing to assist.

* que no ayuda a distinguir = nondistinctive.

 

ayudar ( conjugate ayudar) verbo transitivo
to help;

¿te ayudo? do you need any help?;
vino a ayudarme she came to help me out;
ayúdame a poner la mesa help me (to) set the table
verbo intransitivo
to help;
¿puedo ayudar en algo? can I do anything to help?
ayudar verbo transitivo to help: ¿puedes ayudarme a mover la mesa?, can you help me to move the table? ➣ Ver nota en help

' ayudar' also found in these entries:
Spanish:
hacer
- imposible
- volcarse
- asistir
- condición
- dedicar
- favorecer
- mano
- mucho
- poco
- pretender
- solícito
English:
aid
- appreciate
- assist
- back
- desire
- finger
- fund
- help
- help out
- minister
- offer
- ostensible
- pitch in
- propensity
- see
- short
- talk down
- tide over
- unable
- useful
- wave aside
- anything
- do
- not
- patch
- precious
- rally
- rely
- sorry
- unhelpful
- way
- well

- estarse Para las expresiones estar bien, estar mal, ver la otra entrada. estar a estar con estar de estar en estar para estar por (=en favor de) [+ política] to be in favour {o} (EEUU) favor of; [+ persona] to support hueso 1) estar por ({+ infin}) estar sin ({+ infin}) estar sobre algn/algo I 1. 2. 3. 4. II I 1. 2. 3. 4. II

Ex: Some degree of ignorance of this kind is not unusual since the usual objective in consulting an information source is to become better informed.

Ex: Medical advances are improving the lives of people living with HIV/AIDS, while prevention remains the key to stopping the spread of this disease.

* ¡cómo se nota que no está el jefe! = while the cat's away, the mice will play.

* ahí está el problema = herein lies the rub, there's the rub.

* ahí está la dificultad = herein lies the rub, there's the rub.

* creer que estar bien = feel + right.

* creer que estar mal = feel + wrong.

* dar la señal de estar listo = prompt.

* dejar como + estar = leave + untouched.

* dejar las cosas como están = let + sleeping dogs lie.

* de tal forma que + ser/estar = in such form as to + be.

* el diablo está en los detalles = the devil (is/lives) in the details.

* el futuro + estar + justo a la vuelta de la esquina = the future + be + just around the corner.

* esperanza + estar = hope + lie.

* estando de acuerdo = approvingly.

* estando de servicio = while on the job.

* estando sentado = from a seated position.

* estar a años de distancia = be years away.

* estar abierto a = be open to.

* estar abocado a ser = be doomed.

* estar absorto en = be wrapped up in.

* estar aburridísimo = be bored stiff, be bored to death, be bored to tears, be bored out of + Posesivo + mind.

* estar aburrido como una ostra = be bored stiff.

* estar a caballo entre = stand + midway between, straddle (between).

* estar a caballo entre... y... = lie + midway between... and..., tread + a fine line between... and, tread + the thin line between... and, tread + a delicate line between... and.

* estar acabando con = eat away at.

* estar acabándose = be on the way out, be on + Posesivo + last legs.

* estar a + Cantidad + de distancia = Cantidad + distant from.

* estar a cargo de = man, be the responsibility of.

* estar accesible = be up.

* estar accesible en línea = go + online.

* estar accesible en red = go + online.

* estar acertado = be right on track.

* estar acostumbrado a = be familiar with, be no stranger to, be used to.

* estar acostumbrado a + Infinitivo = be accustomed to + Gerundio.

* estar a dos velas = not have a bean.

* estar a + Expresión Numérica + de distancia = be + Número + away.

* estar a favor de = be for, be in favour (of), come down in + favour of.

* estar a favor de una idea = favour + idea.

* estar a favor o en contra = be for or against.

* estar agobiado de = be snowed under with.

* estar agradecido = be thankful.

* estar a la alerta de = be wary of.

* estar a la altura de = live up to, be equal to.

* estar a la altura de la circunstancias = make + the cut.

* estar a la altura de las circunstancias = come up with + the goods.

* estar a la altura de las circunstancias = rise (up) to + challenge.

* estar a la altura de las circunstancias = be up to the mark, be up to scratch, be equal to the occasion, rise (up) to + the occasion, deliver + the goods, measure up (to), be up to snuff.

* estar a la altura de las expectativas = live up to + Posesivo + expectations.

* estar a la altura de las posibilidades = live up to + Posesivo + potential.

* estar a la altura de lo que se espera = live up to + Posesivo + expectations.

* estar a la baja = be down.

* estar al acecho = lie in + wait.

* estar a la entera disposición de Alguien = be at + Posesivo + feet.

* estar al alcance de la mano = be at hand.

* estar a la misma altura que = rank with.

* estar a la orden del día = be the order of the day.

* estar a la par de = rank with.

* estar a la vuelta de la esquina = be just around the corner.

* estar al borde de = teeter + on the edge of.

* estar al completo = overbook.

* estar al corriente = monitor + developments.

* estar al día = monitor + developments, stay on top of + the game, stay on top of, stay on + top of things, keep on + top of things, be on top of things.

* estar alejado + Expresión Numérica = be + Número + away.

* estar al lado de = stand by + Lugar.

* estar al loro de = be on the lookout for, keep + Posesivo + eyes (wide) open, keep + Posesivo + eyes peeled, keep + Posesivo + eyes skinned.

* estar al máximo = overstretch.

* estar al mismo nivel = be on a par.

* estar al tanto = monitor + developments.

* estar al tanto de = be on the lookout for, keep + track of, keep + Posesivo + eyes peeled, keep + Posesivo + eyes skinned.

* estar al tanto de las cosas = stay on + top of things, keep on + top of things, be on top of things.

* estar a mano = be on hand, be around.

* estar a medio camino entre... y... = lie + midway between... and....

* estar a merced de = be at the mercy of.

* estar ansioso por = be eager to.

* estar ante = be faced with.

* estar apagado = be off.

* estar a punto de = be poised to, be about to, be on the point of, stand + poised, come + very close to.

* estar a punto de cascarlas = be on + Posesivo + last legs.

* estar a punto de decir = be on the tip of + Posesivo + tongue to say.

* estar a punto de + Infinitivo = be about + Infinitivo.

* estar aquí ya = be upon us.

* estar a resultas de = keep + track of.

* estar arraigado en = be rooted in.

* estar arrestado = be under arrest.

* estar arriba = sit on + top.

* estar a salvo = be in safe hands.

* estar asociado a = be associated with, be bound up with.

* estar atado a = hold + hostage to.

* estar atareado = be tied up.

* estar atento a = be on the lookout for, keep + Posesivo + eyes peeled, keep + Posesivo + eyes skinned.

* estar aterrorizado = be petrified of, be frightened to death, be scared stiff, be terrified.

* estar a tope = overstretch.

* estar atrancado = be stuck.

* estar atrasado en el pago = be in arrears.

* estar aumentando = be on the increase.

* estár aún más alejados = be one step further removed.

* estar aún por llegar = be yet to come.

* estar ausente = lack.

* estar ausente de = be absent (from).

* estar avanzado = be well under way.

* estar avergonzado = be ashamed.

* estar averiado = be out of order.

* estar aviado = be (in) a mess.

* estar bajo arresto = be under arrest.

* estar bajo la tutela de = fall under + the auspices of.

* estar bastante acostumbrado a = be all too familiar with.

* estar bastante alejado = be a distance apart.

* estar bien = be okay, be in good shape, be in good health.

* estar bien de salud = be in good health.

* estar bien encaminado = be on the right track.

* estar bien pensado = be carefully thought out.

* estar borracho = be drunk, see + double.

* estar callado = keep + quiet.

* estar cansado de = be sick and tired of.

* estar capacitado para = be qualified to.

* estar casi finalizado = near + completion.

* estar casi terminado = be nearing completion, reach + near completion.

* estar castigado = be in the doghouse.

* estar cerca = be at hand, be on hand, be around.

* estar cerca de = be close to.

* estar chalado = be off + Posesivo + rocker.

* estar chiflado = be off + Posesivo + rocker.

* estar chiflado por = have + a crush on.

* estar chupado = be a cinch, be a doddle, be a breeze, be a snap, be a picnic, be duck soup.

* estar clarísimo = be patently clear.

* estar claro = be plain, be out in the open.

* estar colado por = have + a crush on.

* estar como una cabra = be a real nutter.

* estar completamente borracho = be drunk and incapable.

* estar completamente de acuerdo con = agree + wholeheartedly with.

* estar completamente equivocado = be way off.

* estar comprometido a = hold + hostage to.

* estar comprometido a + Infinitivo = be committed to + Gerundio.

* estar con amigos en la calle pasando el rato sin hacer nada = hang out + on the street.

* estar condenado a ser = be doomed.

* estar conectado = be on.

* estar con el alma en vilo = put + Posesivo + life on hold, Posesivo + life + be + on hold.

* estar con el tema = be on the topic.

* estar confinado = be confined.

* estar confuso = blur, be at sixes and sevens with, be at a nonplus, be all at sea.

* estar congelado = be frozen stiff.

* estar con la espalda contra la pared = Posesivo + back + be + against the wall.

* estar contentísimo = thrill + Nombre + to bits, be chuffed to bits, be tickled pink.

* estar contraindicado = be contraindicated.

* estar contra las cuertas = be against the ropes.

* estar convencido = there + be + strong feeling.

* estar convencido de la idea de que = be committed to the idea that.

* estar convirtiéndose rápidamente = be fast becoming.

* estar correcto = be correct.

* estar correlacionado con = be correlated with.

* estar de acorde con = be commensurate with.

* estar de acuerdo = approve, be in agreement, concur (with), be agreed.

* estar de acuerdo con = accord with, conform to, fit, go along with, fit with, be in conformity with, mesh with, see + eye to eye (with/on), jive with.

* estar de acuerdo (con/en) = see + eye to eye (with/on).

* estar de acuerdo con una idea = subscribe to + idea.

* estar de acuerdo en que no + estar + de acuerdo = agree to + disagree.

* estar de acuerdo sobre = agree (on/upon).

* estar de acuerdo unánimemente = agree on + all hands.

* estar de baja = be off work.

* estar de baja por enfermedad = be off work sick.

* estar debatiéndose = be under discussion.

* estar de brazos cruzados = stand + idle, sit + idle.

* estar de buen humor = be high.

* estar de camino a = be on the road to.

* estar de capa caída = be in the doldrums.

* estar de cháchara = chinwag.

* estar decidido a = be determined to, be of a mind to, be intent on, be all set to.

* estar decidido a continuar = be set to continue.

* estar decidido a + Infinitivo = be set to + Infinitivo.

* estar demasiado representado = overrepresent.

* estar de moda = be in.

* estar densamente poblado de = be dense with.

* estar dentro de = fall within/into.

* estar dentro de la competencia = be the province of.

* estar dentro de las posibilidades de uno = lie within + Posesivo + power.

* estar de palique = chinwag.

* estar de parloteo = chinwag.

* estar de pie = stand.

* estar de pie por encima de = stand over.

* estar desacertado = miss + the mark, miss + the point.

* estar desacreditado = hold in + disrepute.

* estar desapareciendo = be on the way out.

* estar desasosegado = put + Posesivo + life on hold, Posesivo + life + be + on hold.

* estar desbordado de = be snowed under with.

* estar desbordante de = spill over with.

* estar descaminado = be on the wrong track, be headed down the wrong track.

* estar descontento con = express + dissatisfaction with.

* estar deseoso de = be anxious to, be more than ready for.

* estar desesperado = Posesivo + back + be + against the wall.

* estar desocupado = stand + idle.

* estar desordenado = be out of order.

* estar desquiciado = be a shambles, be (in) a mess.

* estar destinado a = be intended for/to.

* estar destrozado = be + wreck, be a shambles.

* estar de suerte = be in luck.

* estar detenido = be under arrest.

* estar de vacaciones = be on vacation, be off on vacation.

* estar de vuelta = be back.

* estar de vuelta dentro de = be back in + Expresión Temporal.

* estar directamente relacionado con = be directly correlated to.

* estar disgustado por = feel deeply about.

* estar disperso = lie + scattered.

* estar disponible = be available, be forthcoming, be at hand.

* estar dispuestísimo a = be more than willing to.

* estar dispuesto = be game.

* estar dispuesto a = be keen to, be prepared to, be willing to, be of a mind to, be willing and able to, be ready, willing and able.

* estar dispuesto a todo = be ready, willing and able.

* estar dispuesto y deseoso a = be willing and able to.

* estar dominado por Alguien = be under + Posesivo + thumb.

* estar ducho en = be adept at.

* estar dudoso = be doubtful.

* estar embarazada = be up the spout, have + a bun in the oven.

* estar emocionado = be thrilled.

* estar empachado = have + indigestion.

* estar empeorando = be in decline.

* estar en = be in the course of.

* estar en alza = be up.

* estar enamorado de = carry + a torch for + Nombre, have + a crush on.

* estar en apuros = be in trouble, be in a fix.

* estar en ascuas = put + Posesivo + life on hold, Posesivo + life + be + on hold, sit on + the edge of + Posesivo + seat.

* estar en auge = go + strong.

* estar en Babia = be in cloud cuckoo land, live in + cloud cuckoo land.

* estar en barbecho = lie + fallow.

* estar en buenas manos = be in safe hands.

* estar encaminado a = be on the road to.

* estar en camino de = be on the way to.

* estar encantadísimo = thrill + Nombre + to bits, be chuffed to bits, be tickled pink.

* estar encantado = be thrilled.

* estar encantado de Hacer Algo = be more than happy to + Infinitivo.

* estar en casa = be in.

* estar en celo = be on heat, be in heat.

* estar encendido = be on.

* estar enchufado = be on.

* estar encinta = be up the spout, have + a bun in the oven.

* estar en consonancia con = be consonant with, attune to, align + Reflexivo + with.

* estar en contacto (con) = stay in + touch (with), be in touch (with).

* estar en contra de = be against.

* estar en debate = be under discussion.

* estar en decadencia = be in decline, be in retreat.

* estar en declive = be in decline.

* estar en desacuerdo = be at variance, disagree, quarrel with, beg to differ, be at sixes and sevens with each other.

* estar en desacuerdo con = be at odds with, be at loggerheads with.

* estar en desacuerdo sobre = be at odds over.

* estar en desigualdad = be under par.

* estar en desventaja = be disadvantaged, be at a disadvantage.

* estar en deuda = be in debt.

* estar en deuda con = be beholden to.

* estar endeudado = be in debt.

* estar en dificultades = be in trouble.

* estar en duda = be in question.

* estar en el lugar adecuado en el momento adecuado = be in the right place at the right time.

* estar en el lugar indicado en el momento indicado = be in the right place at the right time.

* estar en el lugar oportuno en el momento oportuno = be in the right place at the right time.

* estar en el séptimo cielo = be on cloud nine, float on + air.

* estar en el sitio justo en el momento preciso = be on the spot.

* estar enemistados = be at loggerheads.

* estar en estado = be up the spout, have + a bun in the oven.

* estar en estado de buena esperanza = be up the spout, have + a bun in the oven.

* estar en estado de cambio = be in flux.

* estar enfermo de amor = be lovesick.

* estar en flor = be in bloom, be in flower.

* estar en floración = be in bloom, be in flower.

* estar en forma = be in shape, be in good shape.

* estar enfrascado en Algo = have + Nombre + on the go.

* estar enfrentados = be at loggerheads.

* estar en funcionamiento = be up.

* estar en función de = be a function of.

* estar en guardia = be on guard (against), be on + Posesivo + guard.

* estar en guerra con = be at war with.

* estar en igualdad de condiciones con = be on (an) equal footing with.

* estar en inferioridad de condiciones = punch above + Posesivo + weight.

* estar en juego = be at stake.

* estar en la gloria = be on cloud nine, float on + air.

* estar en la inopia = live in + cloud cuckoo land.

* estar en la mejor posición para = be best positioned to.

* estar en la misma categoria que = rank with.

* estar en la onda = attune to + wavelength.

* estar en las mismas = be back to square one.

* estar en las últimas = be on + Posesivo + last legs.

* estar en lo cierto = hit + the truth.

* estar en manos privadas = hold in + private hands.

* estar en marcha = tick over.

* estar en mayoría = be in the majority.

* estar en medio de = caught in the middle.

* estar en minoría = be in the minority.

* estar en misa y repicando = have + a finger in every pie.

* estar enojado = get + Posesivo + knickers in a twist, get + Posesivo + knickers in a bundle, get + Posesivo + panties in a bundle.

* estar en paz = pay + Posesivo + dues.

* estar en peligro = be in jeopardy, be in question, be endangered, be at risk, be at stake.

* estar en peligro (de) = be in danger (of).

* estar en posición de = be in a position to.

* estar en proceso de = be on the way to, be in the process of, be in the course of.

* estar en proceso de cambio = be in flux.

* estar en proceso de + Infinitivo = be on to + Infinitivo.

* estar en retirada = be in retreat.

* estar en ruinas = be a shambles, be (in) a mess.

* estar en sintonía con = attune to.

* estar en situación de = be in a position to.

* estar en suspense = sit on + the edge of + Posesivo + seat.

* estar en tensión = sit on + the edge of + Posesivo + seat.

* estar en todo = have + a finger in every pie.

* estar en trance de = be in the process of.

* estar entre = fall between.

* estar entre la espada y la pared = be on the horns of a dilemma.

* estar entre los primeros = stay on top.

* estar entre rejas = be behind bars.

* estar entusiasmado = be thrilled.

* estar en un aprieto = be in a fix.

* estar en una situación diferente = be on a different track.

* estar en un berenjenal = be (in) a mess.

* estar en un mar de dudas = feel at + sea, be all at sea.

* estar en un momento clave = be at a watershed.

* estar en un momento decisivo = be at a watershed.

* estar en un sinvivir = put + Posesivo + life on hold, Posesivo + life + be + on hold.

* estar en venta = be up for sale.

* estar en vías de = be on the road to, be in the process of.

* estar en vías de conseguir = be on the road to.

* estar en vilo = put + Posesivo + life on hold, Posesivo + life + be + on hold, sit on + the edge of + Posesivo + seat.

* estar equivoado = miss + the point.

* estar equivocado = be mistaken, be wide of the mark, be wrong, be in error, miss + the mark, be in the wrong.

* estar equivocado en + Número + cosas = be wrong on + Número + count(s).

* estar erróneo = be in error.

* estar esparcido = lie + scattered.

* estar estrechamente ligado a = be closely tied to.

* estar estropeado = be kaput.

* estar estropeándose = be on the way out.

* estar exento de pagar impuestos = write off.

* estar falto de = be short of.

* estar falto de práctica = get + rusty.

* estar familiarizado con = have + familiarity with.

* estar firmemente convencido = strongly held opinion.

* estar frenético = be furious.

* estar frito de sed = be parched, spit + feathers, be parched with thirst.

* estar fuera = be out.

* estar fuera con los amigos = be out with the guys.

* estar fuera de contienda = be out of contention.

* estar fuera del alcance = lie outside + the scope of.

* estar fuera de las posibilidades de Alguien = be out of + Posesivo + league.

* estar fuera del interés = lie outside + the scope of.

* estar fuera del interés de uno = lie beyond + concern.

* estar fuera de lugar = be out of place, be out of order.

* estar fuera de quicio = be beside + Reflexivo.

* estar fuera de rumbo = be off course.

* estar fuera de secuencia = be out of order.

* estar fuera de sí = be beside + Reflexivo.

* estar funcionando = be in place.

* estar furioso = fume.

* estar + Gerundio = be on the way to.

* estar hablando del tema = be on the topic.

* estar haciendo = be up to.

* estar haciendo Algo = have + Nombre + on the go.

* estar haciendo algo que no se debe = be up to no good, get up to + no good.

* estar hambriento = starve.

* estar harto = have had enough.

* estar harto de = be all too familiar with, be sick and tired of.

* estar hasta la coronilla de = be sick and tired of.

* estar hecho a escala = be to scale.

* estar hecho con la intención de = be intended for/to.

* estar hecho con la mismas dimensiones que el original = be to scale.

* estar hecho el uno para el otro = be well suited to each other, be two of a kind, be a right pair.

* estar hecho para = be geared to, be intended for/to, mean, be cut out for.

* estar hecho polvo = be + wreck.

* estar hecho un desastre = look like + a wreck, be a shambles, look like + the wreck of the Hesperus, look like + drag + through a hedge backwards, be (in) a mess.

* estar hecho un esqueleto = be a bag of bones.

* estar hecho un flan = shake like + a leaf, tremble like + a leaf.

* estar hecho un lío = be at sixes and sevens with.

* estar hecho un perla = be a bit of a lad.

* estar hecho un pinta = be a bit of a lad.

* estar hecho un prenda = be a bit of a lad.

* estar helado = be frozen stiff.

* estar implícito en = run through.

* estar inactivo = lie + fallow, lie + dormant.

* estar incluido = be embedded.

* estar indeciso = be hesitant (to).

* estar indeciso entre... o... = be torn between... and....

* estar inerte = lie + fallow.

* estar informado puntualmente sobre = monitor + information on.

* estar inmune a = be immune against.

* estar inquieto = be disturbed.

* estar interesado en = be interested in, be keen to.

* estar inundado de = be snowed under with.

* estar junto a = stand by + Lugar.

* estar juntos = be together, stand + together.

* estar justo en medio de = stand + squarely in.

* estar la mar de contento = be over the moon.

* estar lejos de (ser) + Infinitivo = be far from + Gerundio.

* estar levantado = be up.

* estar libre de = be free from.

* estar ligado a = be bound up with.

* estar listo = stand + ready, be ready.

* estar listo para = be poised to, stand + poised, be all set to.

* estar lleno de problemas = bristle with + problems.

* estar localizable = be locatable.

* estar loco = be off + Posesivo + rocker.

* estar loco de alegría = be chuffed to bits, thrill + Nombre + to bits, be tickled pink.

* estar loco de contento = be beside + Reflexivo + with joy, be over the moon, be over the moon.

* estar loco de remate = be a real nutter.

* estar loco por = have + a crush on.

* estar majareta = be off + Posesivo + rocker.

* estar mal = be wrong, feel under + the weather, be under the weather.

* estar mal comunicado con = have + poor connections with.

* estar mal encaminado = be on the wrong track, be headed down the wrong track.

* estar mal visto = frown on/upon.

* estar manga por hombro = be a shambles, be (in) a mess.

* estar marcado por = be pockmarked with.

* estar mareado de tanto trabajo = be reeling.

* estar mejor = be better off, be better served by.

* estar metido en todo = have + a finger in every pie.

* estar molesto = be displeased, get + Posesivo + knickers in a twist, get + Posesivo + knickers in a bundle, get + Posesivo + panties in a bundle, put off.

* estar motivado = be motivated, have + motivation.

* estar moviéndose en terreno seguro = be on secure ground.

* estar muerto de asco = be bored to death, be bored stiff, be bored to tears, be bored out of + Posesivo + mind.

* estar muerto de frío = be frozen stiff.

* estar muerto de hambre = be starving to death.

* estar muerto de miedo = be scared stiff, be frightened to death, be petrified of, be terrified.

* estar muerto de sed = spit + feathers, be parched, be parched with thirst.

* estar muy acostumbrado a = be all too familiar with.

* estar muy agradecido a = be indebted to.

* estar muy alejado de = be a long way from.

* estar muy arraigado en = be well embedded in.

* estar muy bajo = be way down.

* estar muy cerca de = be one step away from, be steps away from, come + very close to.

* estar muy convencido de = have + strong feelings about.

* estar muy emocionado con/por = be excited about.

* estar muy esparcido = spread + Nombre + thinly.

* estar muy lejano = be far off.

* estar muy lejos = be far off, be a long way off.

* estar muy por delante de = be way out ahead of.

* estar muy por delante de su tiempo = be years ahead of + Posesivo + time.

* estar muy puesto = stay on top of + the game, stay on top.

* estar muy separado = set + far apart.

* estar muy usado = be well thumbed.

* estar nervioso = be in a tizz(y), have + butterflies in + Posesivo + stomach.

* estar oculto = lie + hidden.

* estar ocupado = busyness, be engaged, be tied up.

* estar ordenado en forma circular = be on a wheel.

* estar orgulloso de = be proud (of/to).

* estar orientado a/para = be geared to.

* estar orientado hacia = target.

* estar orientado hacia + Nombre = be + Nombre + driven.

* estar patas arriba = be a shambles, be (in) a mess.

* estar pendiente de = be on the lookout for, pay + attention to, keep + an eye on, keep + Posesivo + eyes peeled, keep + Posesivo + eyes skinned.

* estar pendiente de todo = stay on + top of things, keep on + top of things, be on top of things.

* estar perdido = be out of + Posesivo + league, be out of + Posesivo + depth, be in over + Posesivo + head, be all at sea.

* estar permitido = be permissible.

* estar plagado de = be rife with.

* estar plenamente convencido de Algo = feel (it) in + Posesivo + bones.

* estar pluriempleado = moonlight, work + a second job.

* estar pluriempleado, tener un segundo trabajo, tener un segundo empleo = work + a second job.

* estar poco dispuesto = be reluctant.

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

* estar por delante de = be ahead of.

* estar por demostrar = be unproven.

* estar por detrás = be behind.

* estar por encima de = overlay, overlie.

* estar por las nubes = be through the roof.

* estar por ver = be an open question.

* estar poseído por los espíritus = haunt.

* estar precavido = be on + Posesivo + guard, be on guard (against).

* estar predestinado a = be predestined to.

* estar predispuesto = feel + partial.

* estar predispuesto a = be predisposed to/toward(s).

* estar preñada = be up the spout, have + a bun in the oven.

* estar preocupadísimo = be worried stiff (about), be worried sick.

* estar preocupado por = be anxious to.

* estar preparado = be readied, stand + ready, be ready.

* estar preparado para = be geared up for/to, stand + poised.

* estar preparado y dispuesto a = be willing and able to.

* estar preparado y dispuesto a todo = be ready, willing and able.

* estar presente = be manifest, be present, be in evidence.

* estar presionado = be under the gun.

* estar propuesto a = be intent on.

* estar próximo = be at hand.

* estar quedándose sin = run + low (on).

* estar que + subirse + por las paredes = tear + Posesivo + hair out.

* estar realizándose = underway [under way], be in progress, be in hand.

* estar rebosante de = spill over with.

* estar rebosante de salud = fit as a fiddle.

* estar relacionado con = be associated with, regard.

* estar relacionado con el trabajo = be work related.

* estar resentido = carry + a chip on + Posesivo + shoulder.

* estar resfriado = have + a cold.

* estar respaldado por Alguien = have + Nombre + behind + Pronombre.

* estar restringido = be constrained.

* estar resuelto a = be intent on, be all set to.

* estar saliendo con alguien = be in a dating relationship.

* estar salpicado de = be dotted with.

* estar sano y salvo = be alive and well.

* estar satisfecho (de) = be satisfied (with).

* estar saturado de trabajo = work to + capacity.

* estar sediento = be thirsty, spit + feathers, be parched, be parched with thirst.

* estar seguro = be sure, make + sure, set + your watch by.

* estar seguro de = be certain (of), be confident about, feel + confident.

* estar seguro de que = be confident that.

* estar sentado sin hacer o decir nada = sit by.

* estar separado = set + apart.

* estar separado de = be remote from.

* estar sesgado = bias, slant.

* estar siempre + Adjetivo = be ever + Adjetivo.

* estar siempre buscando = be on the lookout for.

* estar siempre dispuesto a ayudar = be always willing to assist.

* estar siendo + Participio = be in process of + Nombre.

* estar sin blanca = not have a bean.

* estar sin hacer nada = sit + idle, stand + idle.

* estar sin trabajo = stay out of + work.

* estar sin una pela = not have a bean.

* estar sin un centavo = not have a bean.

 

estar 1 ( conjugate estar) cópula
1


estás más gordo you've put on weight;
estoy cansada I'm tired;
está muy simpático conmigo he's being o he's been so nice to me (recently);
¡todo está tan caro! things are o have become so expensive!


¡qué bien estás en esta foto! you look great in this photo!;
está mal que no se lo perdones it's wrong of you not to forgive him;
ver tb bien, mal, mejor, peor
2 ( hablando de estado civil) to be;

3 ( seguido de participios)

estaban abrazados they had their arms around each other;
ver tb v aux 2
4 ( seguido de preposición) to be;
(para más ejemplos ver tb la preposición o el nombre correspondiente);

¿a cómo está la uva? how much are the grapes?;
está con el sarampión she has (the) measles;
estoy de cocinera I'm doing the cooking;
estamos sin electricidad the electricity is off at the moment;
está sin pintar it hasn't been painted yet
verbo intransitivo
1 ( en un lugar) to be;

está a 20 kilómetros de aquí it's 20 kilometers from here;
¿sabes dónde está Pedro? do you know where Pedro is?;
¿está Rodrigo? is Rodrigo in?;
solo estaré unos días I'll only be staying a few days;
¿cuánto tiempo estarás en Londres? how long are you going to be in London (for)?
2 ( en el tiempo):

¿a cuánto estamos hoy? what's the date today?;
estamos a 28 de mayo it's May 28th (AmE) o (BrE) the 28th of May;
estamos en primavera it's spring
3


estamos para ayudarlos we're here to help them


4 (estar listo, terminado):

lo atas con un nudo y ya está you tie a knot in it and that's it o there you are;
enseguida estoy I'll be right with you
5 (Esp) ( quedar) (+ me/te/le etc) (+ compl):

la 46 te está mejor the 46 fits you better
estar v aux
1 ( con gerundio):

estoy viendo que va a ser imposible I'm beginning to see that it's going to be impossible
2 ( con participio):

ya está hecho un hombrecito he's a proper young man now;
ver tb estar cópula 3
estarse verbo pronominal ( enf) ( permanecer) to stay;

estese tranquilo don't worry
estar 2 sustantivo masculino (esp AmL) living room
estar verbo intransitivo
1 (existir, hallarse) to be: está al norte, it is to the north
¿estarás en casa?, will you be at home?
no está en ningún lado, it isn't anywhere
estamos aquí para servirle, we are at your service
su pedido aún no está, your order isn't ready yet
2 (permanecer) to stay: estos días estoy en casa de mis padres, these days I'm staying at my parents' place
estoy en la oficina de ocho a dos, I'm at the office from eight to two
quiero que estés aquí un minuto, ahora vuelvo, stay here, I'll be right back
3 (tener una situación actual determinada: con adjetivo o participio) estaba blanco como la cera, he had turned as white as a sheet
está dormido, he's asleep
está teñida de rubio, her hair's dyed blonde
(con gerundio) está estudiando, he is studying
estaba preparando la comida, I was cooking
(con adverbio) estoy tan lejos, I'm so far away
está muy mal, (enfermo) he is very ill
4 (quedar, sentar) el jersey me está pequeño, the sweater is too small for me
5 (para indicar precio, grados, fecha) (+ a: fecha) to be: ¿a qué día estamos?, what's the date?
estamos a 1 de Julio, it is the first of July
(: precio) to be at: ¿a cómo/cuánto están las manzanas?, how much are the apples?
están a setenta pesetas el kilo, they're seventy pesetas a kilo
(: grados) en Madrid estamos a cuarenta grados, it's forty degrees in Madrid
♦ Locuciones: ¿estamos?, agreed?
estar a disposición de, to be at the disposal of
estar a la que salta, to be ready to take advantage of an opportunity
estar a las duras y a las maduras, to take the bad with the good
estar al caer, to be just round the corner
estar en baja, to be waning
estar en todo, to be on top of everything
estaría bueno, whatever next
ESTAR CON: (de acuerdo con) estoy con María, I agree with Mary
ESTAR DE: estoy de broma, I'm joking
está de camarero, he's working as a waiter
estaba de Dios que las cosas sucedieran así, it was God's will that things turned out this way, está de vacaciones, he's on holiday
me voy a marchar porque está claro que aquí estoy de más, I'm going to go because it's obvious that I'm in the way
ESTAR ENCIMA: su madre siempre está encima de él, his mother is always on top of him
ESTAR PARA: no estamos para bromas, we are in no mood for jokes
esa ropa está para planchar, these clothes are ready to be ironed
cuando estaba para salir, me llamaron, when I was just about to leave, they called me
ESTAR POR: la casa está por construir, the house has still to be built
estuve por decirle lo que pensaba, I was tempted to tell him what I thought
estoy por la igualdad de derechos, I'm for equal rights
ESTAR QUE: está que no puede con su alma, he is exhausted
familiar está que trina, he's hopping mad
ESTAR TRAS: está tras el ascenso, he is after promotion
estoy tras una blusa blanca, I'm looking for a white blouse
El uso del verbo to stay como traducción de estar en un lugar es incorrecto, a menos que quieras expresar lo contrario de irse o marcharse (no me voy a la playa, estaré en casa todo el verano, I'm not going to the beach, I'm staying at home all summer) o te refieras a alojarse: Estoy en el Palace. I'm staying at the Palace.

' estar' also found in these entries:
Spanish:
abismo
- acatarrada
- acatarrado
- acecho
- acomplejada
- acomplejado
- acostada
- acostado
- acostumbrada
- acostumbrado
- activa
- activo
- afónica
- afónico
- agradecer
- agua
- aire
- ajo
- ala
- alero
- alerta
- amiga
- amigo
- andar
- antena
- apañada
- apañado
- apogeo
- ascua
- atar
- aviar
- azotea
- Babia
- baja
- bandera
- banquillo
- barco
- blanca
- bordear
- borracha
- borracho
- bote
- braga
- brecha
- brete
- buena
- bueno
- cabal
- cabeza
- cabo
English:
about
- accustom
- action
- agree
- agreement
- ahead
- air
- alert
- alive
- alone
- aloof
- amenable
- amiss
- antsy
- anxious
- approve
- associate
- attend
- away
- back
- ball
- barbecue
- be
- bean
- beck
- beg
- behind
- believe in
- beside
- best
- board
- boil
- book
- boom
- bored
- brain
- breath
- bristle with
- broke
- brown
- bulge
- burn
- by
- cake
- call
- change
- charge
- cheese off
- clash
- close
[acontecimiento] to be about to happen; Andes Fam