23 Comments
una domanda - in english there is a difference in meaning between "i have a little time" and "i have little time" both are accepted as correct translations here. how might one make the distinction in italian between "little" and "a little" ? i noticed this also with "few" and "a few" or do we just need to guess from context?
In my opinion "little/few = poco", "a little/ a few = un po' ".
I would say "I have little time = ho poco tempo", and "I have a little time = ho un po' di tempo". Also, "I have few apples = ho poche mele", "I have a few apples = ho un po' di mele".
"I have a little time" was marked incorrect today. I can see why; it means something very different from "I have little time".
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Oct 2018 "a little time is not accepted". In English a little time, means that I do have some to give to you. But "little time" means don't bother me, I'm too busy...at least in the US
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In italian "a" little time requires "un". Without un it is simply "little time".
I wrote "I don't have much time" and it wasn't accepted...I guess I wasn't literal enough
I'll admit that sometimes Duo's expectations are a little "off side". In this case they are teaching three / four words: "I have" "little" and "time." There's no negative. Teaching languages requires imparting certain basic facts (words/syntax) into the learner. Your interpretation has basically the same meaning but it doesn't use the requisite vocab. for this lesson. Take pity on the poor robot with its limited vocabulary. ;-) Ciao, best wishes.
Haha this is the best robot ever!! Duolingo's favorite word is "precision..." thank you!
Thank you for the lingot. I haven't really noted the use of "precision" it is pretty ironic though. Here are a few hints for "making it" on Duo. Do peek at the hover words and use the first one; 9 times out of 10 that's the one that the bot has been programmed for. You'll find others in this post but most of all bookmark and use the Guidelines you'll find there. One is the Official. The other is user created and very full. Best wishes, J
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I have yet to meet an English language teacher that would use the word Got in this context. Avere = to have, not to have got
Because few can only be used with plural "countable" nouns. Time is uncountable so "little" has to be used. I am not a native English speaker though.
I agree totally with AndyP11. I hope DL is not teaching this in their English version.
The second time i used I have got a little time and it was still wrong after they said this was the correct answer the first time. Duolingo fix this!
Hi, from a native english speaker perspective, There is a distinct difference un meaning between: "i have A little time' which denotes time to spare and willing to share it. Differs from 'i have little time" implying feeling rushed and needing to leave. While both comoute to meaning not much time, it is a different context with how the speaker is willing to spend it. Make sense?
If DL does not accept a little or a bit of time, it should not be in the hints. It makes it more confusing.
