vs 

QUICK ANSWER
"Bobo" is an adjective which is often translated as "silly", and "tanto" is an adverb which is often translated as "so much". Learn more about the difference between "bobo" and "tanto" below.
bobo, el bobo, la boba(
boh
-
boh
)
An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
adjective
a. silly
No seas boba; claro que puedes entrar.Don't be silly! Of course you can come in.
b. dumb
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
(colloquial)
¡Qué chico tan bobo! Nunca aprenderá su lección.That boy's so dumb! He'll never learn his lesson.
a. naive
Si no fuera tan bobo, Jules se daría cuenta de que esta es una situación peligrosa.If he weren't so naive, Jules would realize that this is a dangerous situation.
b. naïve
No seas tan bobo. ¡Los elefantes no pueden volar!Don't be so naïve. Elephants can't fly!
c. simple
Marco es un poco bobo; se cree cualquier cosa que le digan.Marco is a bit simple; he believes everything you tell him.
This means that the noun can be masculine or feminine, depending on the gender of the noun it refers to (e.g., el doctor, la doctora).
masculine or feminine noun
a. fool
Solo un bobo creería una historia así.Only a fool would believe a story like that.
b. idiot
¿Por qué sales con Ken? Es un bobo.Why are you dating Ken? He's an idiot.
A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
masculine noun
4.
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
(colloquial)
(anatomy) (River Plate)
a. heart
Tío Lalo anda con problemas del bobo.Uncle Lalo has heart problems.
b. ticker
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
(colloquial)
El bobo se me empieza a acelerar cuando pienso en Mireya.My ticker starts beating faster when I think of Mireya.
Copyright © 2025 Dictionary Media Group, Inc.
tanto(
tahn
-
toh
)
An adverb is a word that describes a verb, an adjective, or other adverbs (e.g., to run quickly, very tired).
adverb
a. so much
Te quiero tanto.I love you so much.
An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
adjective
a. so much (singular)
Todavía tengo tanto trabajo para hacer.I have so much work still to do.
b. so many (plural)
Había tantos pasteles que nos llevamos algunos a casa.There were so many cakes that we took some home.
A pronoun is a word that stands in for a noun (e.g., she).
pronoun
a. so much (singular)
Tanto que hacer y tan poco tiempo.So much to do, so little time.
b. so many (plural)
Solo guarda una fotografía que no se necesitan tantas.Just keep one photo as you don't need so many.
A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
masculine noun
a. point
Nuestro equipo acabó el torneo con 50 tantos.Our team finished the tournament with 50 points.
b. goal
El ídolo colombiano marcó dos tantos en el primer tiempo.The Colombian star scored two goals in the first half.
tantos
An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
adjective
5.
A word or phrase that is plural (e.g., los libros).
(plural)
(expressing quantity)
a. so many
A word or phrase that is plural (e.g., los libros).
(plural)
¿Realmente crees que necesitemos tantos globos para la fiesta? Es un lugar pequeño.Do you really think we need so many balloons for the party? It's a small venue.
A pronoun is a word that stands in for a noun (e.g., she).
pronoun
6.
A word or phrase that is plural (e.g., los libros).
(plural)
(expressing quantity)
a. so many
A word or phrase that is plural (e.g., los libros).
(plural)
Es deprimente ver a un niño botar la comida cuando tantos pasan hambre.It's heartbreaking to see a child waste food when so many are hungry.
Copyright © 2025 Dictionary Media Group, Inc.