más pronto
/mas pɾonto/from spelling rules
The English phrase "sooner" is translated into Spanish as más pronto.
Más pronto is used to describe something happening in a shorter amount of time or before a specific point. To create a comparison such as "sooner than", you can use más pronto que followed by the subject or event.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of más (more) and pronto (soon/early), literally meaning "more soon".
Which one should you use?
While más pronto is often used for "sooner" in terms of speed or relative timing, más temprano is specifically used when referring to an earlier time on a clock or a schedule.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the specific phrase "as soon as possible", the phrase is often expanded to lo más pronto posible.
How do you pronounce it?
/mas pɾonto/
Did you know?
- The word más is a linguistic relative of the English word 'master'. Both descend from the Latin 'magis' and 'magister', which relate to the concept of greatness or being more.
- Even though 'pronto' means 'soon', it is also used in English as an adverb meaning 'immediately' or 'quickly'.
- Beyond meaning 'sooner', the word pronto can function as a standalone interjection. When shouted, it acts as a command meaning 'hurry up' or 'quickly'.
Examples in context
- Mucho más pronto de lo que piensas.Much sooner than you think.This sentence shows how to use más pronto to compare timing to what someone thinks.Tatoeba #1408115 by marcelostockle, translation #1408116 by marcelostockle
- Cuanto más pronto regreses, más feliz estará tu padre.The sooner you return, the happier your father will be.This sentence demonstrates the use of más pronto in a conditional structure to show how one event affects another.Tatoeba #3813569 by cueyayotl, translation #17275 by Swift
- Cuanto más pronto se calle, mejor.The sooner he shuts up, the better.This sentence uses más pronto to express that a quicker action leads to a better outcome.Tatoeba #10712114 by DJ_Saidez, translation #5951766 by mailohilohi
- Estaré allí más pronto de lo que piensas.I'll be there sooner than you think.
- Envíame el mensaje lo más pronto posible, ¿vale?Send me the message as soon as possible, okay?
Example conversation
María and Mateo are discussing a project deadline.
- MaríaNecesitamos terminar este trabajo más pronto.We need to finish this work sooner.
- MateoTengo razón, Mateo, el jefe lo quiere ya.You are right, Mateo, the boss wants it now.
- MaríaEntonces, ¿podemos entregarlo más pronto que el viernes?Then, can we hand it in sooner than Friday?
- MateoSí, creo que podemos terminarlo mañana.Yes, I think we can finish it tomorrow.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries más, pronto, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
