A2 Expression Neutral

Poco a poco

Little by little

Bedeutung

Indicates gradual progress or action, taking small steps at a time.

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Kultureller Hintergrund

In Spain, 'poco a poco' is often used to describe the 'cultura del esfuerzo.' It's a way of saying that hard work pays off if you are consistent. Mexicans frequently use the diminutive 'poquito a poco' or even 'poquititito a poco' to sound more humble or polite when asking for something or describing progress. In Argentina, you might hear 'paso a paso,' famously associated with football coach Reinaldo Merlo, but 'poco a poco' remains the standard for general life progress. In countries like Peru and Bolivia, 'poco a poco' is a common theme in folk music, representing the slow but steady endurance of the people.

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Use the Diminutive

Saying 'poquito a poco' makes you sound much more like a native speaker in casual settings.

⚠️

Don't add 'un'

Remember, it's never 'un poco a poco.' Keep it simple.

Bedeutung

Indicates gradual progress or action, taking small steps at a time.

💡

Use the Diminutive

Saying 'poquito a poco' makes you sound much more like a native speaker in casual settings.

⚠️

Don't add 'un'

Remember, it's never 'un poco a poco.' Keep it simple.

💬

The Power of Patience

Using this phrase shows you respect the time it takes to do things right, which is highly valued in Hispanic cultures.

Teste dich selbst

Complete the sentence with the correct phrase for 'little by little'.

Estoy aprendiendo a cocinar ____.

✓ Richtig! ✗ Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: poco a poco

'Poco a poco' is the fixed adverbial phrase for gradual progress.

Which sentence is correct?

How do you say 'The baby is walking little by little'?

✓ Richtig! ✗ Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: El bebé camina poco a poco.

The preposition must be 'a' and there is no article 'un'.

Match the situation to the best use of 'poco a poco'.

You are recovering from a cold and your friend asks how you are.

✓ Richtig! ✗ Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: Poco a poco me siento mejor.

This describes the gradual process of recovery.

Complete the dialogue.

A: ¿Ya terminaste tu tarea? B: No, es muy larga, pero la hago ____.

✓ Richtig! ✗ Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: poco a poco

'Poco a poco' fits best when describing working through a long task.

🎉 Ergebnis: /4

Visuelle Lernhilfen

Aufgabensammlung

4 Aufgaben
Complete the sentence with the correct phrase for 'little by little'. Fill Blank A2

Estoy aprendiendo a cocinar ____.

✓ Richtig! ✗ Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: poco a poco

'Poco a poco' is the fixed adverbial phrase for gradual progress.

Which sentence is correct? Choose A2

How do you say 'The baby is walking little by little'?

✓ Richtig! ✗ Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: El bebé camina poco a poco.

The preposition must be 'a' and there is no article 'un'.

Match the situation to the best use of 'poco a poco'. situation_matching A2

You are recovering from a cold and your friend asks how you are.

✓ Richtig! ✗ Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: Poco a poco me siento mejor.

This describes the gradual process of recovery.

Complete the dialogue. dialogue_completion B1

A: ¿Ya terminaste tu tarea? B: No, es muy larga, pero la hago ____.

✓ Richtig! ✗ Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: poco a poco

'Poco a poco' fits best when describing working through a long task.

🎉 Ergebnis: /4

Häufig gestellte Fragen

5 Fragen

It is neutral. You can use it in a business email or with friends. For very formal writing, use 'gradualmente'.

No, 'poco a poco' is an adverbial phrase and never changes for gender.

'Poco a poco' is about gradual time/effort. 'Paso a paso' is about following a sequence of steps.

Usually, 'despacio' is better for speed. 'Poco a poco' is for progress.

No, it's just informal and affectionate. It's very common and perfectly acceptable in most social situations.

Verwandte Redewendungen

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paso a paso

similar

step by step

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de vez en cuando

contrast

from time to time

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gradualmente

synonym

gradually

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a cuentagotas

specialized form

in dribs and drabs

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