Is there a difference between "poco" and "un poco"?

Question

In English, there's a subtle but definite difference between *few* and *a few*: > A few men went to the party. (*Some people went*) > > Few men went to the party. (*Nobody or almost nobody went*) Does this difference also exist between the **un poco** and **poco** of Spanish?

Answer 1

Hi! Love this question. I think to really answer this and more accurately translate some of your examples, I would expand upon your word choice to include unos cuantos or even just plain ol' unos.

A few men went to the party = Unos hombres asistieron a la fiesta. -no need to use poco/pocos

Few men went to the party = (Muy) Pocos hombres asistieron a la fiesta. -definitely implying the lack of men

How many men went to the party? -A few.

¿Cuántos hombres asistieron a la fiesta? -Unos cuantos. -O- -Muy pocos.

So generally, I'd say that un poco is used when followed an adjective or the preposition de:

1. Estoy un poco nerviosa. I am a little nervous.
2. ¿Me pones un poco de arroz? Can you give me a little rice?

I hope this helps to clarify!

Warmly,

Alissa G., M.A. Spanish