Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
Little Bit in Spanish: Un Poco and Un Poquito
Un Poco · adverbial phrase · oon POH-koh
'A little bit' in Spanish is un poco (oon POH-koh). The diminutive un poquito means an even smaller bit and adds warmth or softness. Un poquitín is a playful double diminutive for the tiniest amount.
Un poco is oon POH-koh. Un poquito is oon poh-KEE-toh.
¿Puedes hablar un poco más despacio, por favor?
Can you speak a little bit slower, please?
Little Bit in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for little bit, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| un poco | little bit | oon POH-koh | Default, widely understood |
| un poquito | little bit | a tiny bit (diminutive) | |
| un poquitín | little bit | an even tinier bit (double diminutive) |
How Native Speakers Use Un Poco
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
A small amount
Quiero un poco de agua, por favor.
I'd like a little bit of water, please.
Un poco de + noun for a small quantity of something.
Tiny amount (diminutive)
Agrega un poquito de sal a la sopa.
Add a tiny bit of salt to the soup.
Poquito makes the amount sound even smaller and more gentle.
A little tired
Estoy un poco cansado después de la caminata.
I'm a little bit tired after the hike.
Un poco before an adjective softens the degree.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Un Poco
Using pequeño instead of poco
Incorrect: Quiero un pequeño de leche.
Correct: Quiero un poco de leche.
Pequeño means small (size). Poco means a little (quantity/degree). For amounts, always use poco.
Forgetting de after poco
Incorrect: Un poco sal.
Correct: Un poco de sal.
When un poco modifies a noun, it needs de: un poco de sal, un poco de agua, un poco de tiempo.
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See Un Poco used by native speakers
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Common Questions About Little Bit in Spanish
- How do you say a little bit in Spanish?
- A little bit is un poco (oon POH-koh). The diminutive un poquito means an even tinier bit.
- When do I use poquito vs. poco?
- Un poco is standard. Un poquito adds warmth, gentleness, or emphasizes smallness. It's common in requests: un poquito de azúcar sounds softer than un poco de azúcar.
- Can I use poco by itself without un?
- Yes, poco alone means 'little' or 'not much': hablo poco español (I speak little Spanish). Un poco adds the article and means 'a little bit.'