Inklingo
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Different sized piles of colorful wooden building blocks.

cantidades

kan-tee-DAH-dehs

nounfA2
amounts?general measurement,quantities?precise or bulk measurement
Also:bulk?buying or making things in large numbers,volumes?referring to the size or space something occupies

📝 In Action

Necesitamos grandes cantidades de papel para la oficina.

A1

We need large amounts of paper for the office.

Hay pequeñas cantidades de azúcar en la leche.

A2

There are small quantities of sugar in the milk.

Compramos la harina en cantidades industriales.

B1

We buy the flour in industrial quantities.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • sumas (sums)
  • porciones (portions)
  • volúmenes (volumes)

Antonyms

  • nada (nothing)
  • pizca (pinch/tiny bit)

Common Collocations

  • en grandes cantidades – in large amounts
  • pequeñas cantidades – small amounts
  • cantidades ingentes – huge/enormous amounts

💡 Grammar Points

Using the word 'of'

Just like in English, when you use this word, you usually follow it with 'de' (of) to say what you are measuring, such as 'cantidades de dinero' (amounts of money).

❌ Common Pitfalls

The 'Always Feminine' Rule

Mistake: "Using 'los cantidades' when talking about masculine items."

Correction: Always use 'las' or 'unas' with this word, even if the item itself is masculine. Say 'las cantidades de arroz,' not 'los cantidades de arroz.'

⭐ Usage Tips

When to use it

Use 'cantidades' instead of just saying 'mucho' (a lot) when you want to sound more precise or when you are talking about formal measurements.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: cantidades

Question 1 of 1

Which of these is the most natural way to say 'large amounts of water'?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

cantidad(amount (singular)) - noun
cuantioso(plentiful/large) - adjective
cuantificar(to quantify) - verb

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'cantidades' only for things you can count?

No, it works for both! You can use it for countable things like 'cantidades de manzanas' (amounts of apples) or uncountable things like 'cantidades de tiempo' (amounts of time).

Is there a difference between 'cantidad' and 'cantidades'?

'Cantidad' is just one amount, while 'cantidades' is used when there is more than one measurement or when emphasizing a huge total.