Category: This Vs That

Learn how to use Muy Vs Mucho in Spanish

When to use muy vs mucho in Spanish?. In the Spanish language “muy” is an adverb and always goes before adjectives and other adverbs, on the other hand, “mucho”, “mucha”, “muchos”, “muchas”, are adjectives and are placed before nouns, although there are some exceptions.

 

I know that many of the students are hesitant to choose between:

¿Marta es muy hermosa? or ¿Marta es mucho hermosa? (Marta is very beautiful?)

¿Lucio es muy alto? or ¿Lucio es mucho alto? (Is Lucio very tall?)

¿Pedro tiene muy dinero? or ¿Pedro tiene mucho dinero? (Does Pedro have a lot of money?)

¿Matilde tiene muy que estudiar? or ¿Matilde tiene mucho que estudiar? (Does Matilde have a lot to study?)

What is the difference between Muy and Mucho in Spanish?

Knowing when to use “muy” vs “mucho” in Spanish generally confuses students, that is why in this article we will explain its uses.

 

MUY

“Muy” is an adverb.

“Muy” has no masculine or feminine form, nor does it have a singular or plural form.

 

MUY + Adjective

We usually use an adjective well before it to increase or add intensity.

 

Mi padre es muy alto – My father is very tall

Mi amiga es muy alta – My friend is very tall

Mis pantalones están muy sucios- My pants are very dirty

Tus sobrinos son muy simpáticos – Your nephews are very nice

Estamos muy cansados – We are very tired

Susi es una chica muy guapa. – Susi is a very pretty girl. 

Carlos es muy vago. – Carlos is very lazy. 

 

 

MUY + Adverb

Many times we use MUY before an adverb

 

Yo como muy despacio – I eat very slowly

Tú hablas Español muy bien.- You speak Spanish very well.

Ella se expresa muy bien – She expresses herself very well

Marta está muy sola – Marta is very lonely

Vivo muy cerca del centro. – I live very near from the center. 

Hoy no estoy muy bien. – Today I am not very well. 

 

MUY + Participle

No me gusta la carne muy cocinada. – I don’t like overcooked meat. 

El Español es una lengua muy estudiada. – Spanish is a highly studied language. 

 

Tip: We don’t use the word MUY alone. It needs to be with an adjective, participle or adverb.

 

Example:

¿Estás agotado? – Are you exhausted?

____

Spanish Translation: – Sí, mucho o estoy muy agotado 

English Translation – Yes, very much or I am very exhausted (we cannot say: sí, muy or estoy mucho agotado)

_______

Spanish Translation: – Sí, muy agotado 

English Translation: – Yes, very exhausted (you need to add the adjective even if it sounds repetitive)

  

MUCHO

“Mucho” is:

An adjective that refers to a noun.

Also an adjective modifies (or describes) a noun.

An adjective has to match in gender and number with the noun.

 

There are 4 ways to write MUCHO:

 

mucho  – masculine singular

mucha – feminine singular

muchos –  masculine plural

muchas –  feminine plural

 

 

MUCHO + Noun

“Mucho” usually comes before a noun.

 

Examples of mucho, mucha, muchos, muchas:

 

Tengo mucho calor – I am very hot

Hace mucho frío – It is very cold

Hay mucha comida en el refrigerador – There is too much food in the refrigerator

Ella tiene mucha energía – She has a lot of energy

Mi hijo tiene muchos uniformes – My son has many uniforms

Necesito muchos platos para la fiesta – I need a lot of plates for the party

Mi hija tiene muchas amigas – My daughter has many friends

Hay muchas casas viejas en mi vecindario – There are many old houses in my neighborhood

Juana tiene mucho éxito. – Juana is very successful. 

Tengo muchos amigos. – I have many friends. 

Marcos tiene mucha hambre. – Marcos is very hungry. 

En esta habitación hay muchas sillas. – There are many chairs in this room. 

 

Verb + MUCHO

Sometimes MUCHO works as an adverb, in this case referring to the verb, to the action performed.

 

Estoy muy satisfecho, he comido mucho – I am very satisfied, I have eaten a lot

Mi hijo está muy cansado porque estudió mucho – My son is very tired because he studied a lot

Mi esposo trabaja mucho – My husband works a lot

 

 

¿Se dice? ¿Mucho Trabajo o trabajo mucho?

The two forms are correct but they mean two different things.

Tengo mucho trabajo – Mucho (adjective) Trabajo (noun)

(I have many things to do in my workplace.)

 

Trabajo mucho – Trabajo (verb) Mucho (adverb)

( I spend a lot of time working.)

 

Muchísimo

You can’t say MUY and MUCHO together. Yes, you can use an augmentative to emphasize that there is MÁS que mucho “Muchísimo”.

 

Muchísimo – Esta mañana hace muchísimo calor. (This morning is very hot.)

Muchísimos – Ese candidato necesita muchísimos votos para ganar. (That candidate needs lots of votes to win.)

Muchísima – Tengo muchísima sed porque corrí mucho.(I am very thirsty because I ran a lot.)

Muchísimas – Hubo muchísimas personas en la fiesta.(Lots of people at the party.)

 

 

Expressions with MUCHO

“Mucho” can also be used in these expressions:

 

Mucho gusto – Nice to meet you (after meeting someone)

Muchas gracias – Thank you very much (to show appreciation)

 

The opposite of MUCHO

The opposite of “mucho” is “poco” (a little). It also has to match in number and gender.

 

Mucho – Poco

Muchos – Pocos

Mucha – Poca

Muchas – Pocas

This Vs That

Learn when to use La Leña vs Leño in Spanish

What is the difference between la leña vs leño?. “La leña” and “el leño” both comes from the tree and therefore both are wood “madera”. 

 

 

Spanish Vocabulary:

 

leña – firewood

leño – log of wood

the wood – la madera

the tree – el árbol

 

What is la leña?

 

“La leña” is a set of logs, branches, and pieces of wood “madera” used to make fire as fuel in a campfire, fireplace, heating, or similar uses. 

 

“La leña” is the part of “el leño” that comes from trees or shrubs, of woody forests or agricultural plant species, which when cut up can be used for energy purposes. 

 

For example:

 

Prepara la leña para cocinar la sopa – Prepare the firewood to cook the soup

 

What is el leño?

 

“El leño” is the main raw material of “la leña” 

 

The leño is a large and thick piece of a tree trunk, clean of branches. “El leño (masculine) is a piece of wood that is to be used as a “leña”. 

 

For example:

 

¿Ya Marcos trajo el leño? – Has Marcos already brought the log of wood? 

“La leña” and “el leño” together :

 

Te he traido este “leño” para que lo uses como “leña” en tu fogata . – I have brought you this “log of wood” to use as “firewood” in your campfire. 

 

¿Ya Marcos trajo el leño para la leña? – Has Marcos already brought the log of wood for the firewood? 

 

Read more about This Vs That

How to use Haber Vs Tener in Spanish?

How and when to use haber vs tener in Spanish?. The main difference between the verb to have “haber” and the verb to have ” tener” is that haber is an auxiliary verb and tener is a main verb. This said, haber and tener are closely related, because in the Middle Ages they were basically synonymous, and haber was normally used where today would be used tener. 

The current difference is established in the Golden Age. Tener originally meant to hold, a meaning that it still maintains, but it did not have the meaning of possession, which was exclusive of haber, but already from the first centuries of the literary language tener begins to invade the land. semantic of haber, and little by little haber is becoming an auxiliary verb. 

The verbs haber and tener are used to express obligation or need. Take a look at these examples:

When to use haber and tener in Spanish?

Hay que estudiar mucho para aprender el Inglés. – You have to study a lot to learn English.

Tienes que estudiar mucho para aprender el Inglés. – You have to study hard to learn English.

 

Hay que cambiar la puerta. – You have to change the door.

Tenemos que cambiar la puerta. – We have to change the door.

 

No hay que decir todo lo que uno crea. – You don’t have to say everything you believe.

No tengo que decir todo lo que uno crea. – I don’t have to say everything I believe.

 

Hay que girar el timón hacia la derecha. – You have to turn the rudder to the right.

Tienes que girar el timón  hacia la derecha. – You have to turn the rudder to the right.

 

“Hay que” is used to express a need, and can be replaced by “it is necessary”. “Tener que” is used to express obligation and can be replaced by “deber”. Furthermore, “hay” is always used in its impersonal form, therefore, it is not conjugated.

What is the difference between haber and tener?

 

The verbs “haber” and “tener” can also be used to form compound tenses, but the nuances are different. In the phrases with “tener” more emphasis is placed on the results. Look at the examples:

 

He escrito el libro. – I have written the book. [action performed in a past tense]

Tengo escrito el libro. [El libro ya está listo.] – I have written the book. [The book is now ready.]

He escrito las notas. – I have written the notes. [action performed in a past tense]

Tengo escritas las notas. [Las notas ya están escritas.] – I have written the notes. [The notes are already written.]

 

Hemos preparado el desayuno. – We have prepared the breakfast. [action performed in a past tense]

Tenemos preparado el desayuno. [El desayuno está preparado.] – We have the breakfast ready. [The breakfast is prepared.]

Hemos preparado la langosta. – We have prepared the lobster. [action performed in a past tense]

Tenemos preparado la langosta [La langosta está preparada.] – We have the lobster ready. [The lobster is ready.]

 

Han arreglado la casa. – They have fixed the house. [action performed in a past tense]

Tienen arreglado la casa. [La casa está lista para ser usado.] – They have the house fixed. [The house is ready to be used.]

 

Han arreglado la oficina.- The office have been fixed. [action performed in a past tense]

Tienen arreglada la oficina. [La oficina ya no está más desarreglada.] – They got the office fixed. [The office is no longer unkempt.]

Read more:

Tener conjugation in Spanish

Haber conjugation in Spanish

 When to use Naranja Vs Anaranjado?

What is the difference between naranja vs anaranjado in Spanish?. Naranja or anaranjado are often used synonymously, although the color itself is “naranja”. If something is “anaranjado” (or naranjado), it is that it has a color similar to that of “naranja” orange, or touches or shades of orange. 

 

You can use “naranja” or “anaranjado” to refer to the color of something, they both mean “orange”

 

For example: 

Tu vestido es naranja – Your dress is orange 

Tu vestido es anaranjado – Your dress is orange 

 

Here is the difference between naranja vs anaranjado in Spanish

Now, specifically:

When to use anaranjado?

The “anaranjado” is used by the general when someone or something has the color on them. 

 

For example: 

Mi casa es anaranjada – My house is orange 

Las flores son anaranjadas – The flowers are orange

 

When to use naranja?

In case you are referring to fruit, only “naranja” is used. 

 

For example:

Las naranjas están dulces – The oranges are sweet 

La naranja es mi fruta favorita – The orange is my favorite fruit 

 

When to use naranjo?

 

On other hand, “naranjo” which is the masculine form of “naranja” is only used to name the tree that gives oranges. 

 

For example: 

El naranjo está creciendo – The orange tree is growing

El naranjo tiene muchas naranjas – The orange tree has many oranges

 

Tip: anaranjado is a color and anaranjada is its feminine form. 

 

For example: 

El carro anaranjado/naranja – The orange car

La blusa anaranjada/ naranja – The orange blouse

 

Read more about the colors in Spanish

When to use Gusta Vs Gustan in Spanish?

 

– The word “gusta” is singular, this applies when the subject is only one.

 

Examples: 

 

A Marta le gusta su casa – Marta likes her house. 

A mi me gusta ir al cine – I like to go to the movie theater

A Mario le gusta cantar – Marios likes to sing

A nosotros nos gusta conversar – We like to talk

A ellos les gusta trabajar – They like to work

 

– The word “gustan” is plural. It refers to more than one subject.

 

How does this work? Gusta vs Gustan in Spanish

Examples: 

 

A los chicos les gustan los carros – The boys like the cars 

A mi me gustan los pollos fritos – I like fried chickens 

A ti te gustan los vegetables – You like the vegetables 

Me gustan las clases – I like the classes

Nos gustan los libros – We like the books

 

The verb gustar takes the form of a verb “gusta” when the subject of the sentence is in the singular but becomes “gustan” when the subject is plural. 

 

Both “gusta” and “gustan” indicate someone’s liking for something, but should be used depending on whether the topic is singular or plural. 

 

 

Read more about the verb gustar in Spanish:

Spanish Verb Gustar Practice

What is the difference between abuela and abuelita?

In this lesson you will learn the difference between abuela vs abuelita in Spanish.

Examples with the word ‘abuela’:

No conocí a mi abuela.	–	I didn’t know my grandmother.
Mi abuela falleció muy joven.	–	My grandmother passed away very young.
¿Ya eres abuela?	–	Are you already a grandmother?
Mi madre es la abuela más bella del mundo.	–	My mother is the most beautiful grandmother in the world.
Tengo la mejor abuela del planeta.	–	I have the best grandmother on the planet.
Mi hijo aún no sabe decir abuela.	–	My son still doesn’t know how to say grandma.
¿Eres abuela?	–	Are you a grandmother?
¿Te gustaría ser abuela?	–	Would you like to be a grandmother?
Mi abuela era mayor que mi abuelo.	–	My grandmother was older than my grandfather.
Abuela mima es una mujer de carácter.	–	Abuela mima is a woman of character.
Quiero mucho a mi abuela.	–	I love my grandmother very much.
Hace tiempo no te veo abuela.	–	Long time no see grandma.
Voy a llamar a mi abuela.	–	I’m going to call my grandmother.
¡Qué ganas de verte abuela!	–	Can’t wait to see you grandma!
Mi abuela me cuida desde el cielo.	–	My grandmother watches over me from heaven.
Tengo una súper abuela, no una abuela común.	–	I have a super grandmother, not a common grandmother.
Tu abuela siempre está muy seria.	–	Your grandmother is always very serious.
No conozco a su abuela.	–	I don’t know her grandmother.
Mañana es el funeral de su abuela.	–	Tomorrow is her grandmother’s funeral.
Pobre abuela, le dió asma.	–	Poor grandmother, she got asthma.
Mi abuela está operada del corazón.	–	My grandmother has heart surgery.
Es normal que tu abuela use bastón.	–	It’s normal for your grandmother to use a cane.
Mi abuela está muy viejita.	–	My grandmother is very old.
Algún día iré a verte abuela.	–	One day I’ll go see you grandma.
Conocí a mi abuela cuando tenía unas horas de nacida.	–	I met my grandmother when she was a few hours old.
Mi abuela no podrá venir a mi cumpleaños 25.	–	My grandmother won’t be able to come to my 25th birthday.
Hace días no hablo con abuela Nena.	–	I haven’t talked to Grandma Nena in days.
Quiero ir a ver a abuela mañana.	–	I want to go see grandma tomorrow.
Mi hijo no conoce a su abuela.	–	My son doesn’t know his grandmother.
Tu abuela es una despreocupada.	–	Your grandmother is carefree.
Ella es la abuela de Carlos.	–	She is the grandmother of Carlos.
Su abuela es muy trabajadora.	–	Her grandmother is very hardworking.
Tu abuela se parece mucho a ti.	–	Your grandmother looks a lot like you.
El nombre de mi abuela es María.	–	My grandmother’s name is Maria.
Ella es nuestra abuela.	–	She is our grandmother.

Examples with the word ‘abuelita’:

Te quiero abuelita.	–	I love you grandmother.
Vamos a conocer a tu abuelita.	–	Let’s meet your grandmother.
Esa señora es una adorable abuelita.	–	That lady is a lovely granny.
¿Esa es tu abuelita?	–	Is that your granny?
¿Desde cuándo no ves a tu abuelita?	–	Since when don’t you see your granny?
Abuelita, me voy.	–	Granny, I’m leaving.
Ya vuelvo abuelita.	–	I’ll be back grandma.
Mi abuelita es muy mayor.	–	My grandmother is very old.
¿Necesitas ayuda abuelita?	–	Do you need help granny?
Abuelita, eres única y especial.	–	Granny, you are unique and special.
Mi bebé adora a su abuelita.	–	My baby loves her granny.
¡Cómo tiene canas la abuelita!	–	How does granny have gray hair!
Pase abuelita, siéntese.	–	Come in granny, sit down.
Voy a ver a mi abuelita.	–	I’m going to see my grandmother.
Es un regalo de mi abuelita.	–	She is a gift from my grandmother.
La de la foto es mi abuelita mima.	–	The one in the photo is my grandma mima.
Mami, ¿has visto a mi abuelita?	–	Mommy, have you seen my grandmother?
Mi abuelita me llamó anoche.	–	My grandmother called me last night.
Me gustaba ir los fines de semana para casa de mi abuelita.	–	I liked to go to my grandmother’s house on weekends.
Mi abuelita no habla inglés.	–	My grandmother does not speak English.
Abuelita, ¿quieres ir al parque?	–	Granny, do you want to go to the park?
¡Cuánto te extraño abuelita!	–	How much I miss you granny!
En el cuento, el lobo se comió a la abuelita.	–	In the story, the wolf ate the grandmother.
No hay comida más rica que la que prepara mi abuelita.	–	There is no better food than what my grandmother prepares.
El amor de una abuelita es medicina para el alma.	–	The love of a grandmother is medicine for the soul.
Hace 26 años falleció mi abuelita.	–	My grandmother passed away 26 years ago.
¡Qué bella eras de joven, abuelita!	–	How beautiful you were when you were young, granny!
Mi abuelita se casó a los 28 años.	–	My grandmother got married at the age of 28.
Abuelita Mary vive muy lejos.	–	Granny Mary lives far away.
Debes cuidarte abuelita.	–	You have to take care of yourself, granny.
Yo quiero mucho a mi abuelita.	–	I love my grandmother very much.
Mi abuelita me quiere mucho.	–	My grandmother loves me very much.
Tu abuelita es muy divertida.	–	Your grandmother is very funny.

Abuelo Vs Abuelito in Spanish

Te Amo Vs Quiero | What is the difference between Te Amo and Te Quiero?

Let’s find out how and when to use  te amo vs te quiero.

Amar verb : to love.

Querer: verb:  to want, to love, to wish.

When to use “te quiero” 

The difference is very simple, although for many of us it is difficult to decipher it. You can say “te quiero” to everyone (mother, brothers, family, friends, girlfriend, pet), you can say “te quiero” to those for whom you feel affection.

 

 “Te quiero” you can use to express affection, appreciation. But it also implies having certain proximity to the person. You also have an option to express affection with more distance and respect: “Te aprecio” 

When to use “te amo”

Is Te Amo serious?

“Te amo” is used only with your partner (when you are very much in love), with your parents, or with your children. Let’s say it is unconditional love. You use “te amo” when you are in love with that person or when your love for them is too deep. You can tell a relative “te amo”, for example, but if you tell a friend it will be somewhat confusing because they might think that you are in love, unless you are truly in love with that person. 

 

You can say Te Amo or Te Quiero to family

That is why saying “te amo” is much more delicate and profound. You can say “te amo” to your partner (boyfriend/girlfriend, husband, wife, etc) or to family members for whom you feel great affection (mother, father, etc.), where your love is totally sincere, giant, unconditional. 

 

Summary:

 The important thing is that you know that “te amo” has a more intimate and stronger meaning than “te quiero” … You don’t say “te amo” to just anyone.

“Te quiero” is usually said when you meet someone you like, but “te amo” is a strong feeling that is often said, for example, to someone who has spent a lot of time with their boyfriend or girlfriend and feels a lot of love for that person, as well than to the closest children and relatives. 

 

Read more about amar and querer verbs

Amar conjugation in Spanish

Querer conjugation in Spanish

 

The Difference between Pez vs Pescado

Pez and Pescado =  Fish

The difference between Señorita vs Señora

Señora – Sra (Ms, Madam, Mrs) is used only for married women. The word Señorita (Miss) is traditionally used for a single woman. The terms madam and miss are all used as honorary titles for women. 

the term señora can also be used as part of her and her husband’s name, for example, Señor. and Señora. Johnson (Mr. and Mrs. Johnson) reflects respect and the meaning of union, marriage.

The same happens when we speak of the profession, in this case, we use for example la doctora (the doctor) (Dra) or el doctor (the doctor) (Dr) for males. In this case, we must renounce the title of Mrs, Ms, Madam, Miss.

 

Here is the difference

A  señora is a term of courtesy that applies to a woman, just as señor is a term of courtesy that is applied to a man. Señorita, on the other hand, is a polite term applied to single women. There is no symmetrical masculine meaning “señorito” since this term has other meanings, but not that of a single man. Therefore, asking a woman if she is a señora or a señorita is an archaic, sexist, and discriminatory way of obtaining information about the sexual availability of women and others.

Let’s analyze in a little more depth: a single señora is a señorita. In other words, a woman who remains independent, because she has not committed herself to a marital relationship, does not become a señora. She is something less than a little señora, is a señorita. 

 What does señora mean?

Read more articles

Let’s learn when to use hacer, tener and estar in Spanish (hacer vs tener vs estar).

Hacer vs Tener vs Estar in Spanish

When “estar” and “to be” do not mix.

Except with certain expressions that are as follows:

·
tener sed = to be thirsty

·        
tener hambre = to be hungry

·
tener calor = to be hot (person)

·        
tener frío = to be cold (person)

·
hacer calor = to be hot (weather)

·
hacer frío = to be cold (weather)

·
hacer viento = to be windy (weather)

·        
tener sueño = to be sleepy*

Weather expressions that could be used with “estar”

estar nublado/a – to be cloudy​

estar neblinoso/a – to be foggy

estar lluvioso/a – to be rainy

estar nevoso/a – to be snowy (weather;
not “covered with snow”)

Tip: You don’t say “estoy frío”  you say “tengo frío”.

And if it’s cold outside, you don’t say “está frío” you say “hace frío”.

 

The above phrases can be turned into phrases with “estar” if you change it a bit. The result is that many of these become slightly different in meaning or a bit antiquated:

estar sediento/a – to be parched

estar hambriento/a – to be famished/starving

estar caliente – to be warm/hot to the touch

estar frío/a – to be cold to the touch

estar ventoso/a – to be blustery

sentirse soñoliento/a, somnoliento/a – to feel drowsy/groggy

Here’s where there can be a bit of nuance or situational context needed:

Tengo frío. – I am cold.

Hace frío. – It is cold out(side).

Está frío. – It is cold.

El cuerpo está frío. – The body is cold.

La cama está fría. – The bed is cold.

La nieve es fría. – The snow is cold. [It’s always cold]

Tengo calor. – I am hot.

Hace calor. – It is hot out(side).

Está caliente. – It is hot.

El café está caliente. – The coffee is hot.

La estufa está caliente. – The stove is hot.

La casa está calentita. – The house is (warm and) cozy. [diminutive]

Tengo hambre. – I am hungry.

Estoy hambrienta. – I am so hungry.

Los pobres están hambrientos. – The poor are starving.

El chico es hambriento. – The boy is malnourished / underfed. [Implies a chronic condition]

Es un hombre hambriento de poder. – He’s a power-hungry man.

Tengo sed. – I am thirsty.

Estoy sediento. – I am parched.

La tierra está sedienta. – The land is dry. [implies “in a drought” or “arid”]

Es una mujer sedienta de justicia. – She’s a woman thirsting for justice.

Es una mujer sedienta de sangre. – She’s a bloodthirsty woman.

 

Note: Avoid saying “estoy caliente” or “estoy frío/a” because they have sexual overtones; try to avoid describing people this way if you can:

e.g.

Estoy caliente. – I am hot and bothered.

Está caliente. – He/She is horny.

Estoy frío/a. – I am frigid. [as in “not wanting sex” or “antisocial”]

Está frío/a. – He/She is a cold fish. [“He/She is a frigid person” OR someone who is detached and doesn’t let people get too close]

You can say: ella tiene mucho calor “she is very warm” 

Note:
“Ser frío/a” is equally as extreme meaning “to be a cold person”.

Read more about the Spanish grammar