How to use "tan"?

Question

I can for the most part recognize what it means in a phrase when I see it, but I don't know how to come up with a phrase on my own or when I should use it as opposed to using other words.

Ex- I believe that "Sally es tanta rica de Juan" means "Sally is richer than Juan", but why wouldn't i use "Sally es más rica de Juan"

Answer 1

Sally es tan rica como Juan. Sally is as rich as Juan. Sally is tan alta como Juan. Sally is as tall as Juan, so you say tan+ adjective+como to express equality. Mi jardín es tan bonito como lo tuyo, My garden is as pretty as yours and the lo is the preposition for garden to save you repeating the word and tuyo is yours in singular.

Excellent, Ken. This is also how we use "Tan." - 005faa61, Feb 10, 2010

Great answer Ken. - Izanoni1, Feb 10, 2010

Thanks for your appreciation. - kenwilliams, Feb 11, 2010

Answer 2

Your 2nd sentence is the correct way."Sally es más rica que Juan"

Sally es tan rica que Juan no la puede dejar .... Sally is so rich that Juan can't leave her.

So can "tan" be translated as "so"? - MeEncantanCarasSonrisas, Feb 10, 2010

Yes - 005faa61, Feb 10, 2010

cool, thanks!! - MeEncantanCarasSonrisas, Feb 10, 2010

Very nice elaboration JulianChivis - Izanoni1, Feb 10, 2010