solo un poquito
/solo un pokito/from spelling rules
The English phrase "just a little bit" is translated into Spanish as solo un poquito.
This phrase is used to express a small amount of something or a short distance.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of solo (only), un (a) and poquito (little bit, which is the diminutive form of poco).
Which one should you use?
Using the diminutive poquito instead of the neutral poco makes the amount sound even smaller or provides a softer, more polite tone. For example, solo un poco is a more neutral way to say the phrase.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Colombia, it is common to use poquitico or poquitica to express "just a little bit".
How does it change in a sentence?
The neutral alternative to the phrase is solo un poco.
Did you know?
- Spanish speakers sometimes use un poquito ironically to describe something that is actually quite large or significant, similar to how an English speaker might call a huge dog a 'little guy'.
- While solo un poquito describes a small amount, it is often used as a social 'buffer' to soften a request or a refusal to make it sound less demanding.
- The word poco descends from the Latin paucus, which is a distant relative of the English word 'paucity' meaning a scarcity of something.
Examples in context
- Necesitaríamos un poquito más de tiempo para terminar el proyectoWe would need just a little bit more time to finish the project
- Podría hablar un poquito más despacio, por favorCould you speak just a little bit slower, please?
- Le pido que me dé sólo un poquito de su tiempoI ask you to give me just a little bit of your time
- ¿Me prestas un poquitito de dinero?Can you lend me just a little bit of money?
- Vamos a bailar un poquitito más antes de irnosLet's dance just a little bit more before we leave
- Espérame nada más un poquito, ya casi llegoWait for me just a little bit longer, I'm almost there
- ¡Vamos a caminar poquitico más por el parque!Let's walk just a little bit more in the park!
- Podrías esperarme poquitica más, ya casi terminoCould you wait for me just a little bit longer, I'm almost done
- Solo un poquito de sal, por favor.Just a little bit of salt, please.
- Me duele solo un poquito el brazo.My arm hurts just a little bit.
- Solo un poquito más de tiempo.Just a little bit more time.
Example conversation
Mateo and Lucía are having coffee at a cafe.
- Mateo¿Quieres más azúcar en tu café?Do you want more sugar in your coffee?
- LucíaSí, solo un poquito, gracias.Yes, just a little bit, thanks.
- MateoEstá bien, te pongo muy poco.Alright, I will put very little in for you.
- LucíaGracias, Mateo, así está perfecto.Thanks, Mateo, it is perfect like this.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
