More Questions About "So"

Question

Hello! I've used the dictionary but could use help clarifying the different words used to convey the numerous uses of the English word "so." Help?

"I was really tired, so I went to bed."

"So, because I have a lot of homework, my parents said I cannot go to the party."

"It is raining, so the kids are going inside."

"You finished your work, so why can't you come?"

"So as I was saying..." etc. (these are random, by the way.)

I'm spending a month in Mexico this summer and having been focusing on learning applicable, conversational Spanish. I've realized that I use the word "so" all the time in English but am not confident in how to use the Spanish equivalent. I understand using "tan" (etc) to convey intensity and "para" and "para que" for "so that."

Thank you so much for your help!

Answer 1

In English you say "so" all the time. In Spanish we say "entonces". "Estaba muy cansada. Entonces me fuí a la cama (o me acosté)." "Entonces, como tengo mucha tarea, mis padres me dijeron que no puedo ir a la fiesta". "Está lloviendo, entonces los niños van a entrar ( o van para adentro)". "Terminaste tu trabajo, entonces por qué no puedes venir?" "Entonces, como iba diciendo (o como les iba diciendo)". Enjoy your time in México!

Thank you so much! This is incredibly helpful. - Sara-Beth, May 22, 2011

So would you say that "entonces" is used more than "Así que" in a situation like, I'm angry so I don't want to talk to you anymore, because I would defautl to asi que or de modo que,. - jeezzle, May 22, 2011

:) - 00a4c226, May 22, 2011

Hola, Y. ;) - Tosh, May 22, 2011

Heyyyy! :) - 00a4c226, May 22, 2011

Answer 2

Así que = so. De modo que also, in some situations, and even "o sea que" which in like "so.... in conclusion". I would say "Así que" is most like the English "so" that you are used to.

Answer 3

Ah, then there is "tan."

Las manzanas son tan grande.

The apples are so big.

Answer 4

So, mean therefore would por eso,

Answer 5

I've heard claro used in some of the ways you might say so. Especially at the beginning of a sentence.