Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| un poco | /um ˈpoko/ |
| un poquito | /un pokito/ (from spelling rules) |
| pelín | /peˈlin/ |
un poco is used as an adverb to mean to a small extent or degree. When you use it to modify an adjective, it remains invariable, such as in un poco cansado (a little tired). If you wish to use the phrase as a determiner before a noun to mean "a little bit of", you must use the form un poco de.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase un poco literally means "a little", where un means "a/one" and poco means "little/few".
Which one should you use?
un poquito is the diminutive form and is used to express an even smaller degree or to provide a more affectionate and softened tone. pelín is used to mean "a tiny bit" or "a tad".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
pelín and un cachito are informal, while un chin is a colloquial expression.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, pelín (or un pelín) is an informal way to say "a tiny bit". In several Latin American countries, such as Colombia and Venezuela, un chin is a colloquial way to say "a tiny bit". In some Latin American countries, particularly Mexico, un cachito is an informal way to say "a little bit".
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When un poco is used as a determiner before a noun, you must add de (for example, un poco de sal for "a little bit of salt").
How do you pronounce it?
/um ˈpoko/
Did you know?
- The informal word pelín is actually a tiny diminutive of the word pelo, which means 'hair'.
- In Spanish, saying un poquito when asking for something can be a way to 'soften' a demand to avoid seeming greedy or demanding.
- The term un cachito is derived from cachito, a diminutive of cacho, which refers to a piece or a fragment of something.
Examples in context
- Él bebió un poco.He drank a little.This is useful for describing the amount someone drank using un poco.Tatoeba #618941 by Shishir, translation #299592 by CK
- Sólo un poco más.Just a little more.This shows how to use un poco to specify a small additional amount.Tatoeba #1001427 by Shishir, translation #495631 by FeuDRenais
- Tom bebe un poco.Tom drinks a little.This demonstrates the use of un poco to describe an action performed to a small extent.Tatoeba #1296899 by marcelostockle, translation #1094217 by CK
- Me gustaría hablar un poco sobre mi experiencia profesionalI would like to talk a little about my professional experience
- Disculpe, ¿puede hablar un poquito más despacio, por favor?Excuse me, can you speak a little more slowly, please?
- Permítame agregar un tantito más de información a la presentaciónAllow me to add a little more information to the presentation
- Quiero caminar un poco más antes de volver a casaI want to walk a little more before going back home
- Dame un pelín de tiempo para terminar esta tareaGive me a little bit of time to finish this task
- Voy a descansar un cachito antes de continuarI'm going to rest for a little bit before continuing
- 707 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Javier and Sofía are talking about a meal at a restaurant.
- Javier¿Te gusta la sopa, Sofía?Do you like the soup, Sofía?
- SofíaSí, me gusta un poco.Yes, I like it a little.
- JavierA mí me gusta mucho.I like it a lot.
- SofíaQué bueno que te guste.It is good that you like it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “a little” translations and entries un poco, pelín, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries pelín, poco, poquito, un, un poco, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
