Quantifiers are words used to refer to unspecific amounts or quantities. They can be used as adjectives or pronouns, and some of them also work as adverbs. They answer the question(s) cuánto, cuánta, cuántos, cuántas meaning how much, how many when the answer is not a particular number, but rather an approximate amount.
How do quantifiers work in Spanish?
Quantifiers work to modify different types of words. Let's see each case.
As adjectives
When quantifiers function as adjectives, they are placed before the noun and agree in gender (masculine or feminine) and number (singular or plural) with it.
Quedan pocos boletos. meaning There are a few tickets left.As pronouns
Quantifiers can also function as pronouns. In this case, they will not be followed by a noun, but they will still agree in gender and number with the noun they replace.
Furthermore, some of them can be followed by the preposition de meaning of to single out an approximate amount out of a group. This group is expressed by a noun (preceded by an article, a possessive adjective or a demonstrative adjective) or a strong pronoun.
Click the link for a list of Spanish quantifiers that can be followed by preposition de!
As adverbs
When quantifiers function as adverbs, they modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs. They only have one form, so they don’t change in gender and number. Also, not all quantifiers work as adverbs. The common ones are: poco meaning a little, mucho meaning a lot, demasiado meaning too much, and bastante meaning quite.
When used as an adverb to qualify a verb, it’s placed after the verb. But, when used to qualify an adjective/adverb, it’s placed before the adjective/adverb.
To learn more about the different functions of Spanish quantifiers, click the link!
Let’s move on to how to use each one of them!
‘Poco(s),’ ‘poca(s)’
These can be equivalent to a “few” or “little.” They refer to a lower amount than normal. They can be used as adjectives or pronouns, or adverbs:
There are few houses in this area.
As an adverb, this quantifier is invariable: (un) poco.
Laura está un poco preocupada. meaning Laura is a bit worried.La niña comió poco. meaning The girl ate little.
‘Algún,’ ‘algunos,’ ‘alguna(s)’
Algún and alguna can be equivalent to “any.” And, algunos and algunas are equivalent to “some.” When they function as adjectives, they agree in gender and number with the noun they precede.
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The negative forms of these quantifiers are: ningún, ninguna meaning any, no . Alternatively, the forms alguno, alguna can be used as negatives if placed after the noun. Compare:
I don’t have any questions.
No tengo comentario alguno.
I don’t have any comments.
For more on the use of alguno(s) and alguna(s) as pronouns check out our post on Spanish indefinite pronouns!
‘Mucho(s),’ ‘mucha(s)’
Mucho, muchos, mucha, and muchas are equivalent to “many, much, a lot of.”
They can function as adjectives or pronouns, so they agree in gender and number with the word they precede or replace. They refer to a greater amount than normal or needed.
We found many old books in the attic.
When used as an adverb, only the form mucho is possible, and it is mostly used to modify verbs.
Anoche dormí mucho. meaning Last night I slept a lot.Mucho can be used before comparative adjectives and adverbs to mean “much.”
Sus problemas son mucho mayores que los tuyos.Translation: Her problems are much bigger than yours.Esta película es mucho peor que la anterior.Translation: This movie is much worse than the previous one.Click here for a full list of Spanish comparatives used with mucho.
‘Bastante(s)’
This quantifier means “enough, quite, a lot.” It only has a singular and plural form when used as an adjective or pronoun, or it’s invariable when used as an adverb.
Juan prepared enough food.
He lives quite close to the university.
Today Raquel practiced a lot.
‘Demasiado(s),’ ‘demasiada(s)’
This one refers to an outstanding amount of things or people, equivalent to “too many” or “too much.” Its value is often negative, as it means “excessive.”
When used as an adjective, it agrees in gender and number with the noun it modifies.
Kori gastó demasiado dinero en la fiesta. meaning Kori spent too much money on the party.Pasé demasiadas horas esperando. meaning I spent too many hours waiting.When used as an adverb, only use demasiado, and it means “too (adjective/adverb).”
Es demasiado bueno para ser verdad. meaning It’s too good to be true.Or with verbs, it means “too much”:
Mi papá trabaja demasiado. Siempre está cansado.Translation: My dad works too much. He’s always tired.
‘Todo(s),’ ‘toda(s)’
Todo(s) and toda(s) can mean “all, every, the whole of,” and they refer to all the elements in a general group or category. They function as adjectives or pronouns, so they have to agree in gender and number with the noun they modify/replace.
When the noun is accompanied by a definite article or a demonstrative or possessive adjective, these quantifiers mean “all (of)…”
Todos los humanos tienen cualidades. meaning All human beings have qualities. Invita a todas tus amigas. meaning Invite all of your friends.
When the noun is preceded by an indefinite article it means “a whole…”
Rubén se comió toda una pizza. meaning Ruben ate a whole pizza.When todo or toda are followed directly by a noun, they mean “every” or “any.”
Todo niño tiene derecho a una buena educación. meaning Every child has the right to a good education.
When the noun is preceded by an indefinite article it means “a whole…”
Rubén se comió toda una pizza. meaning Ruben ate a whole pizza.When todo or toda are followed directly by a noun, they mean “every” or “any.”
Todo niño tiene derecho a una buena educación. meaning Every child has the right to a good education.
Todo or toda can be used to modify an adjective or participle, in this case todo has to match the gender of the adjective and it is similar in meaning to “completely.”
Mi sobrina llegó toda cansada del torneo de basquetbol.Translation: My niece arrived completely exhausted from the basketball tournament.
Summary
Quantifiers answer the question(s) cuánto, cuánta, cuántos, cuántas meaning how much, how many when the answer is not a precise amount.
Quantifiers can be used as adjectives or pronouns.
But only poco, mucho, demasiado, and bastante can function as adverbs.
When they are adjectives, they agree in gender and number with the noun they refer to.
Bastante(s) only has a singular and plural form, and varios and varias only have a masculine and feminine form.
When they are adverbs, they do not change their form and they usually modify an adjective, an adverb, or a verb.
Need some practice on this topic? Answer this exercise.
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