Learn how to say "a bit of" in Spanish
The most common way to say "a bit of" in Spanish is to use "un poco de". However, we sometimes use "algo de" followed by a noun to mean "a bit of" or "some", although it is less frequent.
Have a look at the following examples:
Déjame algo de carne para esta noche. Tendré hambre cuando vuelva.Leave me some/a bit of meat for tonight. I will be hungry when I return.
Some important points about Algo de:
- Algo de is invariable.
- It does not agree in gender with the noun it refers to.
- It is always used in the neutral form "algo".
- Do not use it with plural nouns, only with singular nouns.
If you want to use the same idea a bit of/some, with plural nouns, then you must use algunos/algunas, (not algo de).
For example:
Podemos beber algunas bebidas del frigorífico.
Podemos beber algo de bebidas del frigorífico.
We can have some drinks from the fridge.
"Algo de" is mostly used with abstract and/or uncountable nouns.
Extra note:
Sometimes you find algo de followed by an infinitive or an adjective, with a very similar meaning. For example:
Mamá, ¿hay algo de comer?
Mum, is there anything to eat?
Este asunto tiene algo de raro.
This situation is a bit weird.
See also
- Using algún (a, as, os) to say some or any in Spanish
- Difference between "poco" and "un poco" in Spanish
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