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Learn key Spanish adverbs of quantity like "mucho" (a lot), "poco" (little), "bastante" (quite), and "nada" (nothing) to describe approximate amounts and adjust adjectives and nouns accordingly.
  1. "Mucho" y "poco" as adverbs do not change their form.
  2. "Mucho" and "poco" as adjectives adjust to the number and gender of the noun.
  3. The adverb "bastante" does not change its form when combined with adjectives.
  4. The adverb "nada" does not change its form.
Adverbios de cantidad (Adverbs of quantity)Ejemplos (Examples)

Mucho

 

Tengo mucho dinero. (I have a lot of money.)

Tú tienes muchas tarjetas (You have many cards).

Poco

 

Ana tiene poco dinero. (Ana has little money.)

Paco visita pocas tiendas. (Paco visits few shops.)

BastanteEste vino es bastante caro. (This wine is quite expensive.)
NadaNo quiero comprar nada. (I don't want to buy anything.)

Exercise 1: Adverbios de cantidad: "Mucho, poco, bastante,..."

Instruction: Fill in the correct word.

Show translation Show answers

mucha, mucho, pocos, muchas, bastante, poco, nada

1.
Tengo ... euros en mi bolsillo.
(Tengo pocos euros en mi bolsillo.)
2.
Esto no cuesta ....
(Esto no cuesta nada.)
3.
Tengo ... energía.
(Tengo mucha energía.)
4.
Tengo ... amigas.
(Tengo muchas amigas.)
5.
Este precio es ... alto.
(Este precio es bastante alto.)
6.
En esta tienda no hay ... interesante.
(En esta tienda no hay nada interesante.)
7.
Esto es ... efectivo.
(Esto es poco efectivo.)
8.
Pago ... por esta ropa.
(Pago mucho por esta ropa.)

Exercise 2: Dialogue completion

Instruction: Complete the dialogue with the correct solution

1. Tengo _____ dinero para comprar esta camisa.

( I have _____ money to buy this shirt.)

2. Esta tienda _____ billetes y monedas antiguas.

( This store _____ old bills and coins.)

3. El vestido _____ poco porque tiene un descuento.

( The dress _____ little because it has a discount.)

4. _____ con tarjeta cuando compro en esta tienda.

( _____ with a card when I shop at this store.)

5. No quiero comprar _____ porque es muy caro.

( I do not want to buy _____ because it is very expensive.)

6. Este euro vale _____ más que una peseta.

( This euro is worth _____ more than a peseta.)

Adverbs of Quantity in Spanish: "Mucho, Poco, Bastante, Nada"

This lesson focuses on adverbs of quantity, fundamental tools to express approximate amounts in Spanish. You will learn how to use words like mucho (a lot), poco (little), bastante (enough, quite), and nada (nothing) to describe quantities in a clear and natural way.

Understanding Adverbs of Quantity

Adverbs of quantity help you indicate how much of something there is, without specifying exact numbers. They often appear before nouns or adjectives and can modify verbs to express quantity.

Key Adverbs and Their Usage

  • Mucho: Used to express “a lot” or “many.” As an adverb, it stays invariable (doesn't change form). However, when used as an adjective, it agrees with the number and gender of the noun: mucho dinero (a lot of money), muchas tarjetas (many cards).
  • Poco: Means “little” or “few.” Like mucho, as an adverb it doesn't change, but as an adjective it matches number and gender: poco dinero, pocas tiendas (few stores).
  • Bastante: Means “enough” or “quite.” It remains unchanged when used with adjectives: bastante caro (quite expensive).
  • Nada: Means “nothing” or “not at all,” and also does not change form. Used to express the absence of something: no quiero comprar nada (I don't want to buy anything).

Examples to Remember

  • Tengo mucho dinero.
  • Ana tiene poco dinero.
  • Este vino es bastante caro.
  • No quiero comprar nada.

Differences Between English and Spanish Quantifiers

Unlike English, Spanish adverbs of quantity can function as adjectives and must agree in gender and number with the noun when used adjectivally (mucho dinero vs. muchas tarjetas). In English, quantifiers like "much" and "many" change depending on countability but not gender. The Spanish adverbial form, however, stays invariable.

Useful phrases:

  • Mucho (a lot/many) – use mucho with masculine singular nouns and mucha with feminine singular, muchos/muchas for plurals.
  • Poco (little/few) – follows the same pattern as mucho for number and gender.
  • Bastante (enough/quite) – always invariable.
  • Nada (nothing) – always invariable, often used in negative sentences.

Example equivalent in English: "I have a lot of money" vs. Spanish "Tengo mucho dinero." Notice the placement and agreement differences.

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