poco atlético
/poko atletiko/from spelling rules
The English phrase "unathletic" is translated into Spanish as poco atlético.
poco atlético is used to describe someone who is not good at sports or physical activities. If the lack of athleticism is specifically due to a lack of coordination, they might be described as un poco torpe in casual conversation.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is literally composed of poco (little/not very) and atlético (athletic).
Which one should you use?
While poco atlético means "not very athletic," the phrase nada atlético is a stronger way to say someone is "not at all athletic."
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase changes to the feminine form poco atlética when describing a woman.
Did you know?
- The English word 'few' and the Spanish word poco are distant linguistic cousins, both tracing back to the same ancient Proto-Indo-European root for a small amount.
- Spanish speakers frequently use poco as a linguistic cushion to soften negative traits and avoid being overly blunt when describing someone.
- While poco atlético describes a lack of skill, the term torpe often transcends sports to describe a person's general lack of grace or character.
Examples in context
- Mi hermano es muy poco atlético.My brother is very unathletic.
- ¿Eres poco atlético o solo no te gusta correr?Are you unathletic or do you just not like running?
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about a local gym membership.
- MaríaAlejandro, ¿quieres ir al gimnasio conmigo?Alejandro, do you want to go to the gym with me?
- AlejandroNo, soy muy poco atlético.No, I am very unathletic.
- MaríaNo te preocupes, yo te ayudo.Don't worry, I will help you.
- AlejandroGracias, María, pero prefiero caminar en el parque.Thanks, María, but I prefer walking in the park.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries atlético, poco, CC BY-SA 4.0.
