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"Cómo" is a form of "cómo", an adverb which is often translated as "how". "Qué" is a form of "qué", a pronoun which is often translated as "what". Learn more about the difference between "cómo" and "qué" 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?
qué(
keh
)A pronoun is a word that stands in for a noun (e.g., she).
a. what
¿Sabías que Tina y Héctor se dejaron? - ¡Qué va!Did you know that Tina and Hector broke up? - Wait, what!
An adverb is a word that describes a verb, an adjective, or other adverbs (e.g., to run quickly, very tired).
An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
