How Much, How Many: Spanish Amounts
Talk about quantities and degrees the way Spaniards really do, from 'un pelín' to 'a tope'.
Everyday Spanish in Spain is full of colourful ways to talk about amounts: 'un pelín' for a tiny bit, 'la tira de' or 'un montón de' for loads, 'a tope' for the max, 'te has pasado' when someone overdoes it. The cards follow a Sunday paella for twenty friends in Valencia: the shopping, the cooking with an expert, and the long afternoon after lunch.
- 1
Solo un poquito, gracias.
Just a little, thanks.
- 2
Un pelín más de sal.
A tiny bit more salt.
- 3
Solo una pizca de azafrán.
Just a pinch of saffron.
- 4
Viene un montón de gente.
There's loads of people coming.
- 5
Tenemos arroz de sobra.
We've got more than enough rice.
- 6
Por lo menos veinte personas.
At least twenty people.
- 7
Una hora como mucho.
An hour at most.
- 8
La nevera está hasta arriba.
The fridge is packed.
- 9
No queda ni una gota de agua.
There isn't a drop of water left.
- 10
La música está a tope.
The music is at full blast.
- 11
Tengo la tira de trabajo.
I've got tons of work.
- 12
Le queda media hora, más o menos.
It's got half an hour left, more or less.
- 13
No es para tanto.
It's not that big a deal.
- 14
No está listo, ni mucho menos.
It's not ready - far from it.
- 15
Te has pasado con el aceite.
You've gone way overboard with the oil.
- 16
Te has quedado corto con el arroz.
You've been a bit stingy with the rice.
- 17
Ni mucho ni poco, lo justo.
Not too much, not too little - just right.
- 18
No he entendido nada de nada.
I didn't understand a thing.
- 19
La playa estaba a reventar.
The beach was absolutely packed.
- 20
Estas bravas pican una barbaridad.
These bravas are way too hot.