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"Cómo" is a form of "cómo", an adverb which is often translated as "how". "Ser" is a copular verb which is often translated as "to be". Learn more about the difference between "cómo" and "ser" 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).
adverb
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. why
¿Cómo no me pediste ayuda?Why didn't you ask me for help?
a.
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
no direct 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!).
interjection
a. what
Se van a casar el mes que entra. - ¡Cómo!They are getting married next month. - What?
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?
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ser(
sehr
)
A copular verb links the subject of a clause to the predicate (e.g., My brother is tall).
copular verb
a. to be
Es alto y rubio.He's tall and blond.
Mi abuela es profesora.My grandma is a teacher.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
intransitive verb
a. to be
Soy de Nueva York.I'm from New York.
a. to be
El lápiz es para escribir, no para lanzar.Pencils are for writing, not for throwing.
a. to be
¿Cuánto es el total? - Son diez dólares.How much does it come to? - It's ten dollars.
a. to be made of
El casillero antiguo de mi abuela es de roble.My grandma's antique dresser is made of oak.
a. to be
Este reloj es de mi madre.This watch is my mother's.
a. to be
La fiesta será en mi casa.The party will be at my place.
a. to root for
Yo soy del mejor equipo del mundo: FC Barcelona.I root for the best team in the world: FC Barcelona.
An impersonal verb is a verb with no apparent subject (e.g., Llueve en España.).
impersonal verb
a. to be
Son las siete de la mañana.It is seven in the morning.
Era de noche cuando llegaron.It was night when they arrived.
An auxiliary verb, or helper verb, is a conjugated verb that comes before a main verb and determines the main verb's tense, mood, or aspect (e.g., I have gone.).
auxiliary verb
a. to be
El edificio fue diseñado por un equipo de arquitectos.The building was built by a team of architects.
A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
masculine noun
a. being
Hay un ser vivo en el lago, pero no sé qué es.There's a living being in the lake, but I don't know what it is.
a. person
Su papá es un ser muy agradable.Her dad is a very nice person.
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