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rato

while

noun RRAH-toh Rare

Also means

a short time

Usage Note

Rato most often appears in the phrases un rato (a while, a short time) and al rato (after a bit). It can also mean a stretch of time that is either pleasant or unpleasant: pasar un buen rato (to have a good time), pasar un mal rato (to have a rough time). The plural ratos libres means spare time, synonymous with tiempo libre.

Examples

"Estuvimos hablando un buen rato en el café."

Natural Translation

We spent a good while chatting in the café.

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