"Don't drink a lot" translations available are all incorrect

Question

You guys have the "correct" answer as bebe poco. Bebe poco means drink a little. Don't drink a lot would be "no bebas mucho" ...I'm staring to wonder why I'm paying so much money for a Latin Americna course that has consistent errors both in Spanish and English and also teaches variations that are not Latin American Spanish.

Inma Sánchez · Answer

Hola AI'm afraid what you say is not correct.In Spanish, both in Spain and Latin America, "Bebe poco" means "Don't drink a lot" (=drink just a bit, not much) - If you say "Bebe UN poco", this has a different meaning: "drink a bit" - the message is completely different, the first asking someone not to drink or hardly drink (= don't drink much) and the second is encouraging someone to drink a bit of something. Saludos

Clara Melchor Bowman · Answer

Hi A,I just want to say that, aside from being the nicest, most helpful team of people, the teachers that are providing the Kwiziq lessons here in Spanish (in French also), are highly trained professionals, some of whom are native Spanish speakers. Their Spanish therefore is obviously, and without question, of the highest standard, as is their English.
I had used many teaching methods before finding Kwiziq but none of them compare to the quality or quantity given by Kwiziq. In my opinion it is worth every penny! I have learnt so much during the time that I've been using this teaching method. I honestly can't rate it highly enough and I'm certain that I speak for many of the students here when I say this.Un saludo
Clara

David McNaughton · Answer

Hello there A,The same rule actually applies in correctly used English (although there are a fair number of people who are completely unaware of the subtle difference):e.g. - "He is making little progress in his endeavours" means that "his prospects are somewhat hopeless" - i.e., it seems as if it is hardly worth continuing ...But: "He is making a little progress in his endeavours" implies that "even though he might be struggling, there are signs that he is getting somewhere, and we should certainly encourage him to persevere".2. Having Inma and others who are prepared to patiently answer a never-ending stream of questions - is a really useful, praiseworthy and commendable facility. Few (if any) other Spanish-learning sites offer anything comparable.Good luck with your studies, David M

Marc Graham · Answer

I don't get it.So: "she is making little progress" is certainly more negative than "she is making a little progress" but not as negative as "she is making no progress". The difference is not just one of tone, it is also a difference in facts being expressed. Likewise, "bebe poco" is more negative than "bebe un poco but not as negative as "no bebas demasiado".I guess my point is this: natural languages are subtle and translation does not lend itself to a "this is the right answer" form of any computerized test.

Marc Graham · Answer

I don't get it.So: "she is making little progress" is certainly more negative than "she is making a little progress" but not as negative as "she is making no progress". The difference is not just one of tone, it is also a difference in facts being expressed. Likewise, "bebe poco" is more negative than "bebe un poco but not as negative as "no bebas demasiado".I guess my point is this: natural languages are subtle and translation does not lend itself to a "this is the right answer" form of any computerized test.