Inklingo

How to Say "meager" in Spanish

English → Spanish

escaso

es-KAH-soesˈkaso

adjectiveB1general
Use 'escaso' when referring to a lack of something that is normally present or expected in larger quantities, often implying scarcity or insufficiency.
A single apple sitting alone at the bottom of a large wooden crate.

Examples

El agua es escasa en el desierto.

Water is scarce in the desert.

Tenemos recursos escasos para completar el proyecto.

We have limited resources to complete the project.

La visibilidad era escasa debido a la niebla.

Visibility was poor due to the fog.

Matching with Nouns

Like most adjectives in Spanish, this word must change to match the thing it describes. Use 'escaso' for masculine items and 'escasa' for feminine items.

Placement

When you put 'escaso' before the noun, it often adds a bit of emphasis or a more formal tone compared to putting it after.

Using 'escaso' vs 'poco'

Mistake: “No tengo escaso tiempo.”

Correction: Tengo poco tiempo or Mi tiempo es escaso. 'Escaso' is usually used to describe the quality of the supply, while 'poco' simply means 'not much'.

miserable

mee-seh-RAH-blehmi.seˈɾa.βle

adjectiveB1general
Choose 'miserable' when the meager amount is so small that it's considered inadequate, pitiful, or of poor quality, often with a negative emotional connotation.
A large, empty white plate with only a single, minuscule green pea sitting in the center.

Examples

El salario que me ofrecieron era realmente miserable.

The salary they offered me was truly miserable (meager/inadequate).

Vivían en condiciones miserables, sin agua potable.

They lived in wretched conditions, without drinking water.

Describing Resources

When talking about money, living situations, or food, using 'miserable' emphasizes how desperately poor or insufficient the resource is.

poco

PO-koˈpoko

adjectiveA1general
Use 'poco' as a general term for 'little' or 'few,' indicating a quantity that is not much or not enough, often in a simple, neutral statement.
A nearly empty bookshelf with only a few books on one shelf, illustrating the concept of 'few'.

Examples

Hay pocos coches en la calle hoy.

There are few cars on the street today.

Tengo poca paciencia para estas cosas.

I have little patience for these things.

Recibimos pocas quejas sobre el servicio.

We receive few complaints about the service.

Making 'Poco' Agree

When 'poco' describes a thing, it must change to match. Use 'poco' for masculine things, 'poca' for feminine things, 'pocos' for plural masculine things, and 'pocas' for plural feminine things.

Forgetting to Match

Mistake: “Tengo poco amigas.”

Correction: Tengo pocas amigas. You need to use 'pocas' because 'amigas' is a feminine, plural word.

Choosing Between 'Escaso' and 'Poco'

Learners often confuse 'escaso' and 'poco'. Remember that 'escaso' implies a more significant lack or scarcity of something typically more abundant, while 'poco' is a more general, neutral term for 'little' or 'few'.

Related Translations

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