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"Como" is a form of "como", an adverb which is often translated as "as". "A" is a preposition which is often translated as "to". Learn more about the difference between "a" and "como" below.
a, la a(
ah
)A preposition is a word that indicates the relationship between a noun and another word (e.g., He ran through the door.).
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Podía respirar a duras penas.He was hardly able to breathe.
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
¡A fregar los platos!Go do the dishes!
¡A la cama!Off to bed!
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Me encantaría ganar dinero a espuertas.I would love to earn lots of money.
Llovía a cántaros.It was pouring.
A feminine noun is almost always used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., la mujer bonita, la luna llena).
An abbreviation is the shortened form of a word or group of words (e.g., "UFO" = "unidentified flying object"; "p." = "page").
a. A
El circuito transporta una corriente de 1 A.The circuit carries a current of 1 A.
La intensidad de la corriente eléctrica se mide en A.The intensity of an electric current is measured in A.
como(
koh
-
moh
)An adverb is a word that describes a verb, an adjective, or other adverbs (e.g., to run quickly, very tired).
a. as
Haz como te digo.Do as I say.
Inspiré y espiré como me pidió la doctora.I breathed in and out as the doctor asked me to.
c. however (in whichever way)
Te prepararé el bistec como tú prefieras.I'll make your steak however you like it.
d. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
No me gusta la manera como te hablan tus alumnos.I don't like the way your students speak to you.
Tienes que explicarme el modo como hiciste esas enchiladas.You have to tell me how you made those enchiladas.
b. about
La gasolinera está como a tres kilómetros de aquí.The gas station is about three kilometers from here.
c. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Pablo sonaba enojado o como cansado.Pablo sounded angry or maybe tired.
Los escoceses son como muy abiertos, ¿no?The Scots seem to be very open, aren't they?
A conjunction is a word that connects words, phrases, clauses, or sentences (e.g., The cat and the dog slept.).
a. like
Clara es alta y rubia como su madre.Clara is tall and blonde like her mom.
Quiero ser como tú eres, alegre y simpático.I want to be like you are, cheerful and friendly.
b. as (used with "tan" or "tanto")
Yo no gano tanto dinero como te imaginas.I don't make as much money as you think.
Me pregunto si este restaurante es tan bueno como la gente dice.I wonder if this restaurant is as good as people say.
a. since
Como no estabas aquí, tomé la decisión por ti.Since you were not here, I made the decision for you.
c. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Como estaba cansada, Lucía se fue a casa.Lucia went home because she was tired.
Como la paciente tenía dolor, le dimos analgésicos.The patient was in pain, so we gave her painkillers.
a. if
Como llegues tarde al examen, no se te dará más tiempo.If you arrive late for the exam, you will not be given extra time.
a. that
Llamé a la policía cuando vi como dos hombres salían de la casa por una ventana.I called the police when I saw that two men were coming out of the house through a window.
b. how
Desde nuestra mesa podíamos oír como el mesero y el cocinero discutían en la cocina.From our table we could hear how the waiter and the cook argued in the kitchen.
c. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Oí como se acercaba alguien.I heard someone coming.
Verás como todo va a ir bien.I'm sure everything is going to be fine.
a. as
Como sabes, nosotros somos una organización sin ánimo de lucro.As you know, we're a nonprofit organization.
A preposition is a word that indicates the relationship between a noun and another word (e.g., He ran through the door.).
a. as
Uso mi teléfono como computadora.I use my phone as a computer.
Los neumáticos viejos pueden emplearse como asientos para columpios.Old tires can be used as swings.
a. as
Como presidenta de esta compañía, estoy muy orgullosa de su excelente trabajo.As CEO of this company, I'm really proud of your excellent work.
Camila declaró en el juicio como testigo.Camila testified at the trial as a witness.
a. as
Siempre te consideré como un amigo muy especial.I've always regarded you as a very special friend.
a. such as
Me encantaría escoger una profesión útil para la comunidad, como médico o bombero.I'd love to pick a job that's useful to the community, such as doctor or firefighter.
