un poco de agua
/un poko de aɡwa/from spelling rules
In Spanish, "a little bit of water" is expressed as un poco de agua.
The phrase is used to describe a small amount of water.
Which one should you use?
While un poco de agua specifically means "a little bit of water," the phrase poca agua would be used to express the idea of "little water" in a more absolute or comparative sense.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, the variation Un poquillo de agua is commonly used.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase uses the masculine singular article un because it modifies the masculine noun poco, even though agua is a feminine noun.
Did you know?
- The word agua is a close relative of the English word 'ea', a rare term for a stream or small river. Both words trace back to the same ancient Proto-Indo-European roots for water.
- If you want to sound more persuasive or sweet when asking for a drink, you can change un poco de agua to un poquillo de agua. Using this diminutive form makes the request sound more endearing to the listener.
Examples in context
- Me gustaría un poquito de agua, por favor.I would like a little bit of water, please.
- ¿Podría servirme un poco de agua, por favor?Could you serve me a little bit of water, please?
- Pásame un poquitito de agua, por favor.Pass me a little bit of water, please.
- ¿Me puedes dar un poquillo de agua, por favor?Can you give me a little bit of water, please?
- Voy a tomar una poquitica de agua para refrescarme.I am going to have a little bit of water to refresh myself.
- ¿Quieres un poco de agua?Do you want a little bit of water?
- Quiero un poco de agua, por favor.I want a little bit of water, please.
- ¿Tienes un poco de agua para mí?Do you have a little bit of water for me?
- Solo necesito un poco de agua para la planta.I only need a little bit of water for the plant.
Example conversation
Elena and Daniel are hiking in a park.
- Elena¿Daniel, tienes un poco de agua?Daniel, do you have a little bit of water?
- DanielSí, Elena, aquí tienes.Yes, Elena, here you go.
- ElenaGracias, tengo mucha sed.Thanks, I am very thirsty.
- DanielDe nada, bebe despacio.You're welcome, drink slowly.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries agua, de, poco, un, CC BY-SA 4.0.
