logo
  • Programs
    • Preschool
    • Elementary School
    • Middle School
    • High School
    • Adults
    • School Solutions
  • School Solutions
  • Pricing
  • How it Works
  • Testimonials
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • My Cart
  • Login
  • Try a Free Class

855-997-4652LoginTry a Free Class

  • Programs
    • Preschool
    • Elementary School
    • Middle School
    • High School
    • Adults
    • School Solutions
  • School Solutions
  • Pricing
  • How it Works
  • Testimonials
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • My Cart
  • Login
  • Try a Free Class
logo
  • Programs
    • Preschool
    • Elementary School
    • Middle School
    • High School
    • Adults
    • School Solutions
  • School Solutions
  • Pricing
  • How it Works
  • Testimonials
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • My Cart
  • Login
  • Try a Free Class

855-997-4652LoginTry a Free Class

  • Programs
    • Preschool
    • Elementary School
    • Middle School
    • High School
    • Adults
    • School Solutions
  • School Solutions
  • Pricing
  • How it Works
  • Testimonials
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • My Cart
  • Login
  • Try a Free Class
February 8, 2022 by Olga Put Spanish Grammar 0 comments

How to Use ‘Como’ in Spanish Like a Native Speaker

Do you know what ¿cómo te llamas? means in Spanish? I’m almost 100% sure you do.

Como is everywhere, and it’s usually one of the first words you learn (especially so you can ask “what’s your name?”). 

Now, there is much more to como than just being a question word! 

It serves all sorts of functions. 

Here’s a comprehensive overview to skyrocket your speaking and comprehension skills to native-like levels of usage of the ever-present word como.

Are you ready for your language upgrade? Let’s learn how to use como in Spanish!

What Does Como Mean in English? 

I always tell my Spanish students that knowing the English translation of a Spanish word won’t necessarily take you very far. Why?

Let’s look at the translations of como in English:

  1. as
  2. like
  3. the way
  4. however
  5. around
  6. about
  7. since
  8. if
  9. that
  10. how
  11. such as
  12. as soon as
  13. as if
  14. why
  15. what
  16. sorry?

I came up with 16 different translations and I could probably extend this list even more. 

How is it even possible?

Well, como is one of these little Spanish words that can appear in a sentence as different parts of speech. 

Just look at all the definitions in El Diccionario de la Real Academia Española (Dictionary of the Royal Spanish Academy).  It can be a conjunction, preposition, adverb, linking word, interjection, or a noun. 

And of course, depending on the role of como in a sentence, you’ll translate it differently. 

The key to how to use como in Spanish also lies in accent marks, which also change the word’s meaning.

Today, I’ll show you all the ways to use como. 

Keep reading to see how easy and useful it is!

Como as an Adverb 

Adverbs are words that give more information about verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs. 

Como can be an adverb, too. When it appears in a sentence as one, you use it to express manner or approximations. Let’s see each one of these cases with examples, plus common phrases with como as an adverb.

Como to Express Manner

This is a common use that’s easy to understand. In this case, you’ll often translate it into “like,” “as,” “however,” or “how.” 

Péinate como te digo.
Comb your hair as I say.

No todo es como tú lo quisieras.
Not everything is how you want it.

Te lo puedo hacer como tú prefieras.
I can do it however you prefer.

No me gusta como me hablas.
I don’t like how you talk to me.

how to use como in Spanish example image: Te lo puedo hacer como tú prefieras

Como to Express Approximation and Estimation

You also use como to say that something is not exact in weight, amount, time, or distance. You translate it into “around,” “about,” or “kind of.”

Bailé como tres horas.
I danced for about three hours.

Mi casa está como a un kilómetro de aquí.
My house is about a kilometer from here.

Estás como enojada, ¿qué pasa?
You’re kind of mad, what’s wrong?

Como to Give an Example

You also use como as an adverb instead of the expression por ejemplo (for example):

Visitaremos varias ciudades, como Tulum, Cancún y Mérida.
We’ll visit several cities, for example Tulum, Cancun, and Merida.

Como as a Conjunction

Conjunctions are Spanish connector words that combine other words, clauses, and sentences. Sometimes we talk about conjunction expressions that consist of two or more words that act as conjunctions.

Como is also a conjunction, and you’ll use it to express comparison, cause, or condition. 

Como as Causal Conjunction

You use como to introduce a cause, and in this case, you’ll translate it into “because,” “since,” or “as.”

Como a Pedro no le gusta caminar, siempre viaja en carro.
Since Pedro doesn’t like to walk, he always travels by car.

Como me cortaron la luz, no pude terminar la tarea.
Because the power was cut off, I couldn’t finish my homework.

Como era de noche, no encontramos el camino.
As it was night, we did not find our way.

how to use como in Spanish example image: Como a Pedro no le gusta caminar, siempre viaja en carro.

Como as Conjunction of Comparison

You also use como to compare people and things. Como in these cases often combines with tan and tanto in comparative expressions in Spanish.

Ella es tan guapa como inteligente.
She’s as beautiful as she is smart.

Tengo tantas ganas de comer como tú.
I’m as hungry as you are.

Es rubio como su padre.
He’s blond like his father.

Como as a Conditional Conjunction

When como starts a sentence, it can also introduce a condition. Watch out as you must use the subjunctive afterward! In this case, translate it to “if.”

Como llegues tarde, no habrá pastel.
If you are late, there will be no cake.

Como puedas, vendrás.
If you can, you will come.

how to use como in Spanish example: Como llegues tarde, no habrá pastel.

Learn more about Spanish connector words: The Essential Guide to Spanish Linking Words

Como as a Preposition

Como can also work as a preposition and connect elements in a sentence. In this case, it usually comes before nouns or pronouns and relates them to other words. 

Como as a preposition indicates a function, use, role, or position. 

Me fui al corte como testigo.
I went to court as a witness.

Usan sillas como mesas. 
They use chairs as tables.

If you need more practice with como, check out this Spanish website with 50 example sentences with como.

Cómo With an Accent Mark 

Who would say that such a small thing can change so much? Cómo with an accent is almost a totally new story. It’s a question word—¿Cómo te llamas?. 

Cómo with the accent mark starts direct and indirect questions or is an interjection in exclamations. 

Adverb

You can use cómo as an adverb to start a direct or indirect question. You’ll usually translate it into “why?” or “how?”.

¿Cómo entraste?
How did you get in?

¿Cómo no me llamaste?
Why didn’t you call me?

¿Cómo se llama tu hermana?
What’s your sister’s name?

image example: ¿Cómo se llama tu hermana?

See also: The Ultimate Guide to Question Words in Spanish.

Just one important thing—watch out with the following questions:

¿Cómo es Juan?
What’s Juan like? / What does Juan look like?

¿Cómo está Juan? 
How is Juan?

Can you see how your choice of the “to be” verb can change the meaning? If you need help with ser and estar, check out Ser vs Estar vs Tener: All the Ways to Say ‘I am’ in Spanish.

Interjection

You also use cómo with an accent mark in interjections. If you use it to express surprise, you’ll translate it to “what?”. If you use it to emphasize a statement, it’s difficult to come up with a single translation.

-¡Mi hermana acaba de tener un bebé!
-¡Cómo! ¡Si ya tiene tres!

-My sister has just had her baby!
-What? She already has three!

¡Cómo me gustan los tacos!
Oh, how I love tacos!

¡Cómo tarda el profe en explicar las cosas!
The teacher takes so long to explain things

Image example: ¡Cómo me gustan los tacos!

For a refresher on accent marks, read How to Write and Pronounce Spanish Accent Marks.

Common Phrases to Use with Como and Cómo 

There are ready-to-go expressions that you may use in any conversation both with como and cómo. You don’t need to worry what part of a sentence they are, just learn them and use them in your next Spanish conversation.

Como

1. Como mínimo 

This expression means “at least.”

Me lavo los dientes, como mínimo tres veces al día.
I brush my teeth at least three times a day.

Tienes que aprobar como mínimo 10 materias para pasar el año.
You have to pass at least 10 subjects to be promoted.

2. Tan como and tanto como

Tanto como and tan como in English could be translated into “as (blank) as,” and you use it to compare things and people.

Mi gato es tan blanco como la nieve.
My cat is as white as snow.

Yo no gano tanto como piensas.
I don’t earn as much as you think.

3. Tal como 

Use it to indicate the way you do or did something.

Mi viaje fue exactamente tal como lo había planeado.
My trip went exactly as I had planned.

Cómo

1. ¿Cómo? 

When you need somebody to repeat something, ask ¿Cómo?

¿Cómo? Perdí lo que acabas de decir.
Sorry? I didn’t hear what you said.

2. ¡Cómo no! 

This one is a bit tricky. Depending on your tone of voice it expresses agreement or disbelief. 

Of course! –  to express agreement

-Puedo entrar?
-¡Sí cómo no!

-Can I get in?
-Yes, of course!

Yeah, right! – to express disbelief

-Lo hice yo solito.
-Ay sí, ¡cómo no!

-I did it all myself.
-Yeah, right!

Start Using Como in Spanish Now

Congratulations! You’ve learned how to use como in Spanish in many contexts—with and without an accent. You’ve learned useful phrases, so you should start using them right now to retain your new knowledge and challenge yourself. Practice makes perfect.

I know it’s hard to maintain constant motivation for regular practice but just think of all the benefits being bilingual brings. It’s about traveling and meeting new people at home and abroad, plus being bilingual translates into palpable perks. Did you know that according to a study conducted by The Economist, a person can earn anywhere from $50,000 to $125,000 extra just by knowing a foreign language alone? 

Let Homeschool Spanish Academy help you reach your language goals. Sign up for a free trial class with one of our friendly, certified teachers from Guatemala and use como in a 1-to-1 conversation! Check out our affordable pricing and flexible programs!

certified teachers
free Spanish class button

Join one of the 40,000 classes that we teach each month and you can experience results like these

Sharon K, Parent of 3

“This is the best way for your kid to learn Spanish. It’s one-on-one, taught by native Spanish speakers, and uses a curriculum.”

– Sharon K, Parent of 3

Cindy D, Parent of 3

“It’s a great way to learn Spanish, from native Spanish speakers in a 1-on-1 environment. It’s been fairly easy to schedule classes around my daughter’s other classes. The best value for us has been ordering multiple classes at a time. All the instructors have been great!”

– Cindy D, Parent of 3

Erica P. Parent of 1

“HSA offers very affordable, quality, one on one classes with a native speaker. My son has greatly benefited from taking classes. We have seen his confidence increase as well as his pronunciation improve, because he learns from a native Spanish speaker. HSA has quick, personal customer service. Our family has been very pleased with our experience so far!”

– Erica P. Parent of 1

Ready to learn more Spanish grammar? Check these out!

  • Hacer Conjugation: Free Spanish Lesson, Exercises, and PDF
  • How To Write Dates in Spanish
  • ‘Tener’ Subjunctive Mood: How To Use It the Right Way
  • Ser Conjugation: Free Spanish Lesson, Quiz, Exercises, and PDF
  • Spanish Preterite vs Imperfect: 25 Online Exercises to Practice Your Skills
  • Hallar vs Encontrar: What’s the Difference?
  • Meter vs Poner in Spanish: What’s the Difference?
  • Introducir vs Presentar in Spanish: What’s the Difference?
  • Author
  • Recent Posts
Olga Put
Olga Put
Freelance Writer at Homeschool Spanish Academy
I'm a Spanish philologist, teacher, and freelance writer with a Master's degree in Humanities from Madrid. I speak Polish, Spanish, and English fluently, and want to get better in Portuguese and German. A lover of literature, and Mexican spicy cuisine, I've lived in Poland, Spain, and Mexico and I'm currently living and teaching in Madeira, Portugal.
Olga Put
Latest posts by Olga Put (see all)
  • How To Teach Sight Words in Spanish to Kids - January 13, 2023
  • 21 Unschooling Activities You Haven’t Tried Yet - January 12, 2023
  • 100+ Basic Spanish Words and Phrases for Travelers - January 10, 2023
grammar spanish grammar
0

Related Posts

Spanish for dummies

Spanish for Dummies [Greetings, Questions, Small Talk, and More]

March 10, 2022
Read More
spanish pronouns

3 Types of Spanish Pronouns to Perfect Your Fluency

May 16, 2021
Read More
you formal in Spanish

How to Say ‘You’ in Formal and Informal Spanish

September 21, 2021
Read More
filler words in Spanish

The Ultimate Guide to Filler Words in Spanish for More Natural Conversations

September 27, 2021
Read More

Leave a Comment! Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

28 Spanish Love Songs for Every Day of FebruaryPrevious Post
Why Learning Spanish Is Actually EASIER for AdultsNext Post

About Us

With over 10 years of experience, HSA is where your goals merge with our teachers’ passion: to improve your Spanish fluency. Custom-tailored to fit your needs, you choose your program, schedule, favorite teachers, pace of learning, and more.. Learn More

Resources

  • About
  • Get a Transcript
  • FAQs
  • How it Works
  • Partners

Recent Posts

  • 55 False Cognates in Spanish That Will Kill Your Conversation
    55 False Cognates in Spanish That Will Kill Your Conversation
    January 31, 2023
    Ever heard of "false friends"? And I don’t...
  • Hacer Conjugation: Free Spanish Lesson, Exercises, and PDF
    Hacer Conjugation: Free Spanish Lesson, Exercises, and PDF
    January 30, 2023
    Some people say that the key to learning...

Terms & Conditions Privacy Policy Contact Us© 2022 HSA. All rights reserved.