Spanish Conversation · Level 2
86 words
Spanish word
como
Pronunciation
IPA/ˈkomo/
Meaning
- prepositionlike
Example
Habla como su madre.
He speaks like his mother.
More examples
Intenta hablar como un nativo.
He tries to speak like a native.
Core concept
One person gesturing toward another to show similarity.
Common phrases
hablar como un nativo
speak like a native
trabajar como voluntario
work as a volunteer
Similar words
igual que: Marks exact equivalence in condition or action between two entities.
así como: Connects items by similarity in quality, degree, or characteristic.
tal como: Introduces a specific example and treats it as given.
al igual que: Indicates parallel behavior or treatment between people or things.
Definition in Spanish
Expresa semejanza o ejemplificación y que, en contextos informales, aparece en combinaciones como 'como que' para matizar o dudar.
Word origin
From Latin quomodo, Spanish como derives via Iberian Romance sound changes and carries the sense 'in the manner of', while the interrogative cómo is marked by an accent to mean 'how'.
Usage tips
- Unaccented como introduces comparisons or examples, and the colloquial construction 'como que' often signals hesitation or 'kind of' rather than a literal comparison.
Other meanings
- for exampleadverb
- becauseconjunction