un poco
/um ˈpoko/
The English phrase "a little bit" can be translated into Spanish as un poco.
un poco is a common and versatile way to express a small amount or quantity of something in Spanish.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of un (a/one) and poco (little/bit).
Which one should you use?
While un poco means "a little bit", the form un poquito is a diminutive used to emphasize the smallness of an amount or to make a request sound more affectionate and soft.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, you may hear un pelín as an alternative for "a little bit". In some parts of Mexico, the informal phrase un tantito is used, while un cachito is an informal way to say "a little bit" in some Latin American countries, particularly Mexico.
How does it change in a sentence?
When using un poco as an adverb to modify a verb or an adjective, it does not require the word de (for example, un poco cansado).
How do you pronounce it?
/um ˈpoko/
Did you know?
- In Spain, people use un pelín to mean 'a little bit'. The word pelín is a diminutive of pelo, which means 'hair'.
- Spanish speakers often use un poco as a social hedge to avoid sounding too direct or blunt when giving a negative opinion.
- In some Latin American countries, un cachito is used informally to mean 'a little bit'. The word cachito comes from cacho, meaning 'piece' or 'horn'.
Examples in context
- Dame un poco más.Give me a little bit more.This example shows how to use un poco to ask for an additional amount.Tatoeba #1666842 by marcelostockle, translation #10532049 by CK
- Tengo un poco de hambre.I'm a little bit hungry.This sentence demonstrates using un poco to modify the noun hambre.Tatoeba #1322485 by Shishir, translation #1048295 by CK
- Estuve un poco asustado.I was a little bit scared.This sentence shows how to use un poco as an adverb to modify an adjective.Tatoeba #5217088 by Elyte, translation #5216754 by CK
- ¿Puede hablar un poco más despacio?Can you speak a little bit slower?
- Tengo un poco de experiencia en esa área.I have a little bit of experience in that area.
- Dame un poco de tiempo para pensarlo.Give me a little bit of time to think about it.
- Estoy un poquito cansado.I'm a little bit tired.
- Necesito un poquito de sal en la comida.I need a little bit of salt in the food.
- Voy a comer solo un cachito de pastel.I'm going to eat just a little bit of cake.
- Déjame jugar un cachito más.Let me play a little bit more.
- Solo voy a descansar un ratito y luego seguimos.I'll just rest for a little bit, and then we continue.
- Podrías esperar un ratito más, por favor.Could you wait a little bit longer, please?
- Podrías moverte un tantito a la derecha.Could you move a little bit to the right?
- ¿Me prestas tu pluma un tantito?Can you lend me your pen for a little bit?
- Creo que me he pasado un pelín con la sal en la comida.I think I went a little bit overboard with the salt in the food.
- Voy a tardar un pelín más en llegar.I'm going to take a little bit longer to arrive.
- 33 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Javier and María are preparing lunch in the kitchen.
- Javier¿Quieres un poco de café, María?Do you want a little bit of coffee, María?
- MaríaSí, gracias, Javier.Yes, thank you, Javier.
- Javier¿Te pongo un poco de leche también?Should I put a little bit of milk in too?
- MaríaNo, solo café, por favor.No, just coffee, please.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry un poco, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
