¿Cómo? o ¿Qué?

Question

My Colombian boyfriend says, "¿Cómo?" on the phone when he is speaking to another spanish speaking friend like he is saying, "What?" or, "What did you say?" Why wouldn't he just say, "¿Qué?" Is it common for Colombian Spanish speaking people to say, "¿Cómo?" instead?

Answer 1

Como is more common for "what?" than "qué?" which sounds kind of dumb to the Spanish ear (or so I'm told). Como is "what?" and "go on" rolled into one. When you don't understand something and want it repeated, say "Mande?". If you use this too much though it gets old.

When we dont understand something and want it repeated , which one of "¿Cómo?" or "Mande?" is formal , which one is informal ? - Princess_ir, Aug 22, 2011

mande is more formal, to the extent that some people may not know what you mean. I found this out recently and was pretty surprised - unMica, Aug 22, 2011

All three are used, just depends on the speaker and the recipient. - pacofinkler, Aug 22, 2011

When I used to say "Que?" my friend told me I sounded like an "estupidez", and I shouldn't do it. - Jeremias, Aug 22, 2011

Answer 2

¿Cómo? is definitely used in Peru, while ¿Mande? is seen as rude and is not used like this.

There are our regional differences! - pacofinkler, Aug 22, 2011

Answer 3

Thanks so much for your answer, Jeremias! but I was also wondering if "¿Cómo?" for "What?" is just used in Colombian Spanish or if it's common for other Spanish speaking countries, like Spain or Mexico? Or do they use something else? Like, does the region have anything to do with it?

My experience is really limited to Mexico. I think they both work pretty much anywhere. Don't forget, thought, they are not used in the same way! - Jeremias, Aug 22, 2011

No it's not just a Colombian thing. It should be well understood anywhere. - gintar77, Aug 22, 2011

Answer 4

Cómo, perdon, mande are all used and understood by all. So is qué. However, qué is very informal and best saved for conversations with your friends. To be honest, (I'm not sure about this) I think this is an adaptation of "what" from English.

Also, mande is very Mexican, but not exclusive to Mexico.