Quantities in Spanish shape meaning in ways that matter for buying, describing, and measuring. This guide covers key vocabulary and useful expressions.
Basic Vocabulary
Basic quantity words are essential for everyday speech when talking about amounts, containers, and portions. Learn these common terms first.
| Spanish Word(s) | English Word(s) | |
|---|---|---|
| una cantidad | an amount | |
| mucho | much / a lot | |
| poco | little / a little | |
| más | more | |
| menos | less | |
| un poco más | a little more | |
| bastante | enough / quite | |
| bastante más | quite a bit more | |
| una taza | a cup | |
| un litro | a liter | |
| una botella | a bottle | |
| un kilo | a kilo | |
| una docena | a dozen | |
| un paquete | a package | |
| una caja | a box |
I want to buy a little (poco) sugar for the recipe.
Expressions
Common expressions for quantities help make speech natural when asking for or describing amounts. Set phrases speed up communication.
| Spanish Expression | English Expression | |
|---|---|---|
| una cantidad de | an amount of | |
| un poco de | a little bit of | |
| mucho más | much more | |
| un montón de | a ton of / lots of | |
| bastante más | quite a bit more | |
| más o menos | more or less | |
| casi nada de | almost no | |
| un poco más de | a little more of |
Usage
Use de after quantity expressions when they modify a noun. Quantifiers agree in gender and number with the noun they describe. Choose the right form to sound natural.
Summary
Quantities shape meaning in buying and describing. Learn basic terms and set expressions. Pay attention to gender, number, and use of de after quantifiers. Practice with real examples.
Last updated: Fri Oct 24, 2025