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"Gracias" is a form of "gracias", a phrase which is often translated as "thank you". "Qué tal" is a form of "qué tal", a phrase which is often translated as "how is". Learn more about the difference between "gracias" and "qué tal" below.
gracias(
grah
-
syahs
)A phrase is a group of words commonly used together (e.g., once upon a time).
A plural noun indicates that there is more than one person, place, thing, or idea.
2. (gratitude)
a. thanks
Mis gracias más sinceras a mi jefe por su apoyo.My most sincere thanks go to my boss for his support.
b. thank you
Quiero hacerle un regalo para darle las gracias.I'd like to give him a present as a thank you.
Gracias por toda su ayuda.Thank you for all your help.
c. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Tengo que dar las gracias a Juan Franco Agudo por haberme dado esta oportunidad.I must thank Juan Franco Agudo for giving me this opportunity.
Doy gracias al cielo por tener un hijo tan simpático.I thank heaven that I have such a nice son.
la gracia
A feminine noun is almost always used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., la mujer bonita, la luna llena).
3. (humor)
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Ese comentario no me hizo ninguna gracia.I didn't find that comment at all funny.
No te rías; no tiene gracia.Stop laughing; it isn't funny.
a. joke
Llevaba una lista de gracias para contar durante la cena.He had a list of jokes to tell over dinner.
a. grace
Me impresionaron la gracia y la elegancia de las bailarinas.I was impressed by the grace and elegance of the dancers.
c. gracefulness
La esquiadora se deslizaba sobre la nieve con la gracia de un cisne.The skier glided over the snow with the gracefulness of a swan.
d. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Se mueve con mucha gracia.She moves very gracefully.
Todos queremos envejecer con gracia.We all want to grow old gracefully.
6. (colloquial) (performance by child)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
a. routine
Juanito terminó con su gracia y todos aplaudieron.Juanito finished his routine, and everyone applauded.
b. party piece (United Kingdom)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
El niño empezó con sus gracias y todos tuvimos que prestar atención.The child started on his party pieces, so we all had to pay attention.
7. (nuisance)
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
¡Qué gracia tener que sacar al perro cuando está lloviendo!How annoying having to take the dog out when it's raining!
Me pidieron trabajar todo el fin de semana. ¡Vaya gracia!I've been asked to work all weekend. Great!
9. (ability)
10. (legal)
b. mercy
El monarca es quien ejerce la prerrogativa de gracia.The monarch is the person responsible for exercising the prerogative of mercy.
c. pardon
La Suprema Corte otorgó la libertad por gracia a Antonio Pérez Ortega.The Supreme Court granted Antonio Pérez Ortega a pardon, allowing him to be released.
11. (good turn)
a. favor (United States)
Regionalism used in the United States
Necesito pedirle una gracia.I need to ask you a favor.
b. favour (United Kingdom)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
No me gusta pedir gracias a nadie.I don't like asking anyone for favours.
12. (period of time)
a. grace
Tengo una semana de gracia para acabar el trabajo.I've been given one week's grace to finish the job.
13. (religion)
14. (old-fashioned) (moniker)
A word or phrase that is seldom used in contemporary language and is recognized as being from another decade, (e.g., cat, groovy).
qué tal(
keh
tahl
)A phrase is a group of words commonly used together (e.g., once upon a time).
a. how is (singular) (present)
A word or phrase that is singular (e.g., el gato).
¿Qué tal el negocio familiar? Escuché que tienen problemas económicos.How is the family business? I heard you're having financial problems.
¿Qué tal tu madre? - Se encuentra mejor, pero debe guardar cama.How's your mother? - She's feeling better, but she needs to stay in bed.
b. how was (singular) (past)
A word or phrase that is singular (e.g., el gato).
¿Qué tal tu día? - Estuve muy ocupado con cosas del trabajo.How was your day? - I was very busy with work.
e. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
¿Qué tal el examen? - Bien, creo que aprobaré.How did the exam go? - Well, I think I'll pass.
Ayer fui a ver la última película de James Bond. - ¿Y qué tal?I went to see the last James Bond movie yesterday? - And how was it?
a. how about
¿Qué tal si dejamos de quejarnos y comenzamos a resolver los problemas nosotros mismos?How about we stop whining and start solving the problems by ourselves?
b. what if
Nuestro partido necesita más apoyo. - ¿Qué tal si nos aliamos a los conservadores?Our party needs more support. - What if we form a coalition with the conservatives?
a. oh, please
No haces mucho en la casa. - ¡Qué tal! Yo soy el que limpia todos los días.You don't do much around the house. - Oh, please! I'm the one who cleans up every day.
