Does Como also mean What

Question

I hear Spanish speakers say COMO? when asked a question that they didn't understand. In this case are they saying WHAT ? Couldn't they also use QUE? Please help

Welcome to the forum!! =) - NikkiLR, Apr 18, 2013

Answer 1

Yes, you are right! It is very common. I think of it as "Come again?" in English and they sound the same so it helps me remember.

¿Cómo?

¿Qué? is ok for very familiar friends or close family but might be considered rude to a stranger or elder.

Remember your accents as without an accent words can have different meanings and usages in Spanish. - katydew, Apr 18, 2013

Remember "Manuel? in Faulty Towers he was always saying " Qué" - ray76, Apr 18, 2013

No, I have no idea who you're talking about... you'll have to get me up to date. - katydew, Apr 19, 2013

Answer 2

Hello! I agree with the answers above. Here is my take on it as a native speaker from the Dominican Rep. Comó does not mean what. You are not able to use comó and qué interchangeably. However when you do not hear something I have found that neither I nor my peers say Qué. Think of comó as "come again". I think it is more polite and also rolls off the tongue in a more friendly way. This is just my take but using Qué in this case is equally acceptable.