quiero un poco
/kjeɾo un poko/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'I want some' is translated into Spanish as quiero un poco.
This phrase is used to make a request for a small amount or a portion of something.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of quiero (I want), un (a) and poco (little).
Which one should you use?
Quiero un poco implies a small, indefinite amount, whereas quiero uno would mean 'I want one' (referring to a specific unit).
How does it change in a sentence?
If the object being requested is already understood from context, you can use quiero un poco without adding a noun or the preposition de. However, when followed by a noun, you must add the preposition de before the noun, such as quiero un poco de pan (I want some bread).
Did you know?
- If you are at a restaurant and ask for un poco, you are asking for a small quantity, but if you ask for un poquito, you are using a diminutive that makes the request sound much more polite and charming to a Spanish speaker.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, instead of saying quiero un poco, it is much more common and polite to use the conditional form quisiera un poco to sound less demanding.
- The word poco shares an ancient root with the English word 'few', meaning both are descendants of the same Proto-Indo-European root for 'small' or 'little'.
Examples in context
- Quiero un poco más.I want some more.This sentence shows how to request an additional amount using quiero un poco.Tatoeba #1513900 by marcelostockle, translation #1513327 by Spamster
- Quiero un poco de papel.I want some paper.This sentence demonstrates how to use quiero un poco with a noun.Tatoeba #1321884 by Shishir, translation #1273366 by CK
- Quiero un poco de leche.I want some milk.Tatoeba #1532978 by marcelostockle, translation #1504740 by CM
- Quisiera un poco de café, por favor.I would like some coffee, please.
- Quisiera un poco de agua, ¿puede ser?I would like some water, please.
- Me gustaría algo de comida, si es posible.I would like some food, if possible.
- Me gustaría algo de vino tinto, por favor.I would like some red wine, please.
- Quiero un poco de helado, ¿tienes alguna sugerencia?I want some ice cream, do you have any suggestions?
- Quiero un poco de ayuda con esto, ¿puedes echarme una mano?I want some help with this, can you lend me a hand?
- Quisiera algo de postreI would like some dessert
- Quiero algo de ropa nuevaI want some new clothes
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucía and Alejandro are eating cake together.
- LucíaEl pastel se ve delicioso, quiero un poco.The cake looks delicious, I want some.
- AlejandroClaro, Lucía, te sirvo ahora mismo.Of course, Lucía, I'll serve you right now.
- LucíaGracias, Alejandro, solo quiero un poco.Thanks, Alejandro, I only want a little bit.
- AlejandroAquí tienes tu trozo.Here is your piece.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries poco, un, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
