algo
“algo” means “something” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
something
Also: anything
📝 In Action
Quiero comer algo.
A1I want to eat something.
¿Viste algo raro?
A2Did you see anything strange?
Hay algo en mi ojo.
A1There is something in my eye.
Si necesitas algo, solo dímelo.
B1If you need anything, just tell me.
somewhat
Also: a little, rather, a bit
📝 In Action
Estoy algo cansado hoy.
A2I'm a little tired today.
La película fue algo aburrida.
B1The movie was somewhat boring.
Llegó algo tarde a la reunión.
B1He arrived a bit late to the meeting.
🔀 Commonly Confused With
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✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: algo
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'algo' to mean 'somewhat' or 'a little'?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
Comes from the Latin phrase 'aliquod quid,' which roughly meant 'some what' or 'some thing.' Over time, it shortened and smoothed out to become the simple and useful Spanish word 'algo.'
First recorded: Around the 10th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between 'algo' and 'un poco'?
They are very similar when meaning 'a little.' You can often use them interchangeably, like 'estoy algo cansado' or 'estoy un poco cansado' (I'm a little tired). However, only 'algo' can mean 'something.' You can't say 'quiero un poco' to mean 'I want something.'
Can I say 'algo de' with a noun, like 'algo de agua'?
Yes, absolutely! 'Algo de' means 'some' or 'a bit of.' It's very common to say 'Quiero algo de agua' (I want some water) or 'Necesito algo de tiempo' (I need some time). It's a great way to talk about a non-specific amount of something.