Learn how to say a bit/slightly in Spanish: un tanto/algo
Un tanto
"Un tanto" is an adverb that can be used with adjectives to indicate "a bit/slightly/somewhat [+ adjective]". It is a synonym of the more commonly used "un poco..."
Here are some examples:
No quiero entrar ahí; parece un lugar un tanto siniestro.I don't want to get in there; it seems like a bit of a sinister place.
Me gusta mi clase pero algunos estudiantes son un tanto revoltosos.I like my class but some some students are a bit unruly.
Algo
The word "algo" can also be used to express the same concept:a bit/slightly, for example:
Don't get confused with "tanto" when it's used as an indefinite adjective expressing so much, so many; when we use "un tanto" this is not an adjective but an invariable adverb expressing a "small quantity".
Careful! The adjectives that accompany "un tanto" or "algo" still need to agree with the noun they modify:
See also:
- Using demasiado, bastante, suficiente, poco, tanto and mucho to express quantity in Spanish (quantitative adjectives)
- Using demasiado, bastante, suficiente, poco, tanto and mucho to express quantity in Spanish (quantitative pronouns)
- Using tanto como with verbs and nouns to say as much/many ... as (comparatives)
- Using [verb] + tanto/a/os/as + [noun]+ que = [verb] so much/many...that...
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Examples and resources
No quiero entrar ahí; parece un lugar un tanto siniestro.I don't want to get in there; it seems like a bit of a sinister place.
La fiesta se puso un tanto animada después de medianoche.The party became somewhat lively after midnight.
Me gusta mi clase pero algunos estudiantes son un tanto revoltosos.I like my class but some some students are a bit unruly.
Estamos algo cansados, así que nos iremos directamente a la cama.We're somewhat tired, so we'll go straight to bed.
Marcos conduce un tanto rápido y no quiero que me lleve a casa.Marcos drives a bit fast and I don't want him to take me home.
