Glosario de Vocabulario

Bueno vs. Bien:

“Bueno” is an adjective and means “good.” It describes a person, place, or thing. For example: La película es buena. “Bien” is an adverb and means “well.” It describes how an action is done or how someone feels.

For example: Ella canta bien or Estoy bien. A quick tip: if you can replace the word with “good,” use bueno; if you can replace it with “well,” use bien.

Mucho vs. Muy:

“Muy” is an adverb. It modifies adjectives and other adverbs. It means “very.”

It does not change form.
Example: muy interesante (very interesting), muy rápido (very fast)

“Mucho” is an adjective when it modifies nouns and means “a lot of” / “many.”

It does change to match the noun in gender and number: mucho, mucha, muchos, muchas.
Example: muchos libros (many books), mucha tarea (a lot of homework)

• muy = adverb → describes adjectives/adverbs

• mucho/mucha/muchos/muchas = adjective → describes nouns

Más

“Más” is a word that generally means “more” in English. It can be used in several ways:

1. To indicate quantity or degree:

   • Quiero más agua. → I want more water.

   • Ella estudia más que yo. → She studies more than I do.

2. To make comparisons: (with adjectives or adverbs)

   • Juan es más alto que Pedro. → Juan is taller than Pedro.

   • Ella corre más rápido que yo. → She runs faster than I do.

Activismo vs. Activista

“Activismo” is a noun that refers to the action or practice of working for social, political, or environmental change. It describes the activity itself.
Example: El activismo ambiental ayuda a proteger los bosques.

“Activista” is a noun or adjective that refers to a person who participates in activism. It describes someone who acts.
Example: María es una activista por los derechos humanos.

Quick tip:

• activismo = the activity or movement

• activista = the person who participates in the activity

Porque vs. Por qué

“Porque” – one word

• It means “because” and is used to give a reason.

• Example: No fui a clase porque estaba enfermo. → I didn’t go to class because I was sick.

“Por qué” – two words

• It means “why” and is used in questions.

• Example: ¿Por qué no fuiste a clase? → Why didn’t you go to class?

Quick tip:

• porque = because → answers a question or explains

• por qué = why → asks a question

Tiempo vs. Vez/Veces

“Tiempo”: Refers to time in general, or the duration of something.. It is usually uncountable.

• Examples:

  • No tengo tiempo para estudiar hoy. → I don’t have time to study today.

  • El tiempo pasa muy rápido. → Time passes very quickly.

“Vez / Veces”: Refers to specific occasions or instances. It is countable, so you can say “una vez” (one time) or “muchas veces” (many times).

• Examples:

  • Fui al cine una vez. → I went to the movies one time.

  • He visitado México muchas veces. → I have visited Mexico many times.

Quick tip:

• Tiempo = time (general or duration)

• Vez / veces = time(s) (specific occasion(s)

Poco vs. Pequeño

“Poco”: Refers to quantity, meaning “little” or “not much.” Can describe nouns (amount of something) or verbs (how much someone does something).

• Examples:

  • Tengo poco dinero. → I have little money.

  • Duermo poco. → I sleep little / not much.

“Pequeño”: Refers to size, meaning “small.” Only describes nouns (things, people, animals).

• Examples:

  • Mi perro es pequeño. → My dog is small.

  • Tengo una casa pequeña. → I have a small house.

Quick tip:

• poco = little / not much (quantity)

• pequeño = small (size)

** Spelling

• • SS – necessito — necesito
  • FF – differente — diferente
  • TH – author — autor
  • TT – attencion — atención
  • PP – opportunidad — oportunidad
  • MM – communidad — comunidad