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QUICK ANSWER
"Como son" is a form of "como son", a phrase which is often translated as "as they are". "Tal" is an adjective which is often translated as "such". Learn more about the difference between "como son" and "tal" below.
como son(
koh
-
moh
sohn
)A phrase is a group of words commonly used together (e.g., once upon a time).
a. as they are
Como son alumnos extranjeros, la escuela tiene un servicio de búsqueda de alojamiento.As they are foreign students, the school provides an accommodation service.
b. since they are
Como son muy amigos, hacen muchas actividades juntos.They share many activities, since they are very good friends.
c. as you are
No insistan. Como son mayores, ya no pueden montar en esta atracción.Don't insist. You can't get on that ride anymore, as you are too old now.
d. since you are
Como son buenos y hacen sus tareas, hoy los llevaré al cine.Since you are well-behaved and you do your homework, today I'm taking you to the movies.
a. like they are
Las cosas no son en las películas como son en la vida real.In movies, things are not like they are in real life.
b. as they are
Me gustan los niños como son, no cuando se comportan como adultos.I like children as they are, not when they behave like adults.
d. as you are
Tal y como son, ustedes triunfarán como dúo.You two will make it as a duo just as you are.
tal(
tahl
)An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
1. (similar)
a. such
Nunca he visto tal pobreza como la de ese país.I've never seen such poverty like there is in that country.
2. (so much)
a. such
Cantó con tal pasión que varias personas se echaron a llorar.He sang with such passion that several people began to cry.
a. such-and-such
Si prometes hacer tal cosa, tienes que hacerlo.If you promise to do such-and-such a thing, you have to do it.
4. (colloquial) (unknown)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Un tal señor Martín ha llamado preguntando por ti.A Mr. Martin called for you.
Hablé con un señor del ayuntamiento, un tal Rodríguez.I spoke with a gentleman from city hall, a man named Rodriguez.
A pronoun is a word that stands in for a noun (e.g., she).
