How in Spanish: Cómo and When to Use It

"How" in Spanish is most commonly translated as "cómo," but there are other ways to express this concept depending on context. Understanding when and how to use "cómo" correctly is essential for any Spanish learner.

Let's break down everything you need to know about saying "how" in Spanish.

The Main Word: Cómo

Cómo (with accent) is the Spanish question word for "how." You'll use it constantly in everyday conversation.

Basic Usage

In questions:

• ¿Cómo estás? — How are you?
• ¿Cómo se dice? — How do you say?
• ¿Cómo funciona? — How does it work?
• ¿Cómo llegaste? — How did you get here?

In indirect questions:

• No sé cómo hacerlo — I don't know how to do it
• Dime cómo lo hiciste — Tell me how you did it
• Así es cómo funciona — This is how it works

Important: Accent Mark

The accent on cómo indicates it's a question or exclamation word. Without the accent, como means something completely different:

• cómo (with accent) = how (question/exclamation)
• como (without accent) = like, as, or "I eat" (verb comer)

Examples of the difference:

• ¿Cómo estás? — How are you?
• Como tú quieras — As you want / However you want
• Yo como pizza — I eat pizza

Common Expressions with Cómo

These are the most frequently used "cómo" phrases you'll encounter and use:

Greetings and Conversation

• ¿Cómo estás? — How are you? (informal)
• ¿Cómo está usted? — How are you? (formal)
• ¿Cómo te va? — How's it going? (informal)
• ¿Cómo te llamas? — What's your name? (literally: How do you call yourself?)

Learning and Clarification

• ¿Cómo se dice...? — How do you say...?
• ¿Cómo se pronuncia...? — How do you pronounce...?
• ¿Cómo se escribe...? — How do you spell...?
• ¿Cómo? — What? / How? (asking someone to repeat)

Describing Methods

• ¿Cómo lo hiciste? — How did you do it?
• ¿Cómo funciona esto? — How does this work?
• ¿Cómo puedo ayudarte? — How can I help you?

Other Ways to Say "How" in Spanish

Qué tan + Adjective (How + Adjective)

In Latin American Spanish, when asking "how + adjective," use qué tan:

• ¿Qué tan alto eres? — How tall are you?
• ¿Qué tan difícil es? — How difficult is it?
• ¿Qué tan lejos está? — How far is it?
• ¿Qué tan caro es? — How expensive is it?

In Spain, you might hear cuán or cómo de for the same meaning, though these are less common in everyday speech.

De qué manera (In what way)

For more formal or specific questions about method:

• ¿De qué manera puedo contactarte? — In what way can I contact you?
• ¿De qué manera lo solucionaste? — How (in what way) did you solve it?

This is more formal than simply using "cómo."

Cómo in Exclamations

Cómo can express surprise, emphasis, or intensity in exclamations:

• ¡Cómo me gusta! — How I like it! (I really like it!)
• ¡Cómo llueve! — How it's raining! (It's really pouring!)
• ¡Cómo has crecido! — How you've grown!
• ¡Cómo pasa el tiempo! — How time flies!

These exclamatory uses emphasize the degree or intensity of something.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Forgetting the Accent

• ❌ "Como estás?" (means "I eat" or "like you are")
• ✅ "¿Cómo estás?" (How are you?)

Using Cómo for "How + Adjective"

In Latin American Spanish:

• ❌ "¿Cómo alto eres?" (incorrect)
• ✅ "¿Qué tan alto eres?" (How tall are you?)

Confusing "Cómo" with "Qué"

Some expressions use "qué" where English uses "how":

• ¿Qué hora es? — What time is it? (not "cómo")
• ¿Qué edad tienes? — How old are you? (literally: What age do you have?)

Quick Reference: Cómo Expressions

Practice Using "Cómo"

The best way to master "cómo" is through daily conversation. Use these phrases naturally when you:

• Greet people
• Ask for clarification
• Learn new vocabulary
• Express surprise

If you're looking for opportunities to practice these essential Spanish question words, try Parlai on WhatsApp. Natural conversation practice helps you internalize "cómo" and all its uses until they become automatic.

Remember: mastering question words like "cómo" opens up entire categories of conversation. Once you can ask "how," you can learn anything through dialogue.