QUICK ANSWER
"Cómo" is a form of "cómo", an adverb which is often translated as "how". "Cuánto" is a form of "cuánto", an adjective which is often translated as "how much". Learn more about the difference between "cómo" and "cuánto" below.
cómo(
koh
-
moh
)An adverb is a word that describes a verb, an adjective, or other adverbs (e.g., to run quickly, very tired).
a. how
¿Cómo hiciste para llegar tan rápido?How did you get here so quickly?
No sé cómo se prende este celular.I don't know how you turn on this cell phone.
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
¡Uf, cómo pesa esta caja!Gosh, this box is heavy!
¡Cómo me gusta este café!I really like this coffee!
An interjection is a short utterance that expresses emotion, hesitation, or protest (e.g., Wow!).
a. Sorry?
¿Cómo? Yo tampoco te oigo, debe de ser la línea.Sorry? I can't hear you either, it must be the line.
b. Come again?
Fue rey de Babilonia y su nombre era Nabucodonosor. - ¿Cómo?He was king of Babylon and his name was Nebuchadnezzar. - Come again?
cuánto(
kwahn
-
toh
)An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
a. how much (quantity, singular)
¿Cuánto arroz se necesita para la paella?How much rice do you need for a paella?
b. how many (quantity, plural)
¿Cuántos regalos les han dado en Navidad?How many presents did you get for Christmas?
c. so many (countable)
¡Cuántos caramelos tiene escondidos el abuelo en su casa!Grandpa has so many candies hidden in his house!
A pronoun is a word that stands in for a noun (e.g., she).
a. how much (quantity, singular)
¿Cuánto te han costado las entradas?How much did you pay for the tickets?
b. how many (quantity, plural)
¿Cuántos de ustedes están dispuestos a ir a la huelga?How many of you are ready to go on strike?
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
¡Cuánto te tardaste en llegar!It's taken you ages to get here!
¡Cuántos han venido a la fiesta!So many people have come to the party!
An adverb is a word that describes a verb, an adjective, or other adverbs (e.g., to run quickly, very tired).
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
¡Cuánto quiero que me lleves a ese restaurante de nuevo!I want you to take me back to that restaurant so badly!
¡Cuánto te he echado de menos!I've missed you so much!
