igual
vs
tanto

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"Igual" is an adjective which is often translated as "equal", and "tanto" is an adverb which is often translated as "so much". Learn more about the difference between "igual" and "tanto" below.

igual(

gwahl

)

An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).

adjective

1. (indistinguishable)

a. equal

Una media docena es igual a seis.Half a dozen is equal to six.

b. identical

¡Ustedes dos son iguales! ¿Son gemelos?You two are identical! Are you twins?

c. the same

"No todas las mujeres son iguales, amigo", dijo Roberto."Not all women are the same, dude," said Roberto.

2. (the same on a scale)

a. equal

Todos somos iguales en esta casa y todos tenemos que cooperar con los quehaceres domésticos.We are all equal in this house, and we all have to help with the chores.

3. (similar)

a. like

Me gustaría comprar un celular igual que el tuyo.I'd like to buy a cellphone like yours.

b. alike

Las hermanas no eran nada iguales en su gusto por la ropa.The sisters were nothing alike in their taste in clothes.

c. like this

He probado muchos chocolates, pero nunca he probado nada igual.I’ve tasted lots of chocolates, but I’ve never tasted anything like this.

4. (mathematics)

a. equal

La raíz cuadrada de nueve es igual a tres.The square root of nine is equal to three.

5. (regular)

a. steady

Hay que mantener la velocidad igual o este autobús explotará.You have to maintain a steady speed or this bus will explode.

b. constant

Las temperaturas se mantendrán igual a 31 grados toda la semana.Temperatures will remain constant at 31 degrees all week.

c. even

El centro de Texas tiene el terreno muy igual.The center of Texas has very even terrain.

6. (sports)

a. all (tennis)

Federer recuperó el punto con el saque y se puso 15 iguales.Federer recovered the point with his serve to be at 15 all.

b. level

Regionalism used in the United Kingdom

(United Kingdom)

Los Spurs y Golden State van iguales.The Spurs and Golden State are level.

An adverb is a word that describes a verb, an adjective, or other adverbs (e.g., to run quickly, very tired).

adverb

7. (in the same way)

a. the same

A mis gemelas les gusta vestirse igual.My twins like to dress the same.

b. just like

¡Cantas igual que una estrella de pop!You sing just like pop star!

8. (possibly)

a. maybe

Igual nos quedamos en la playa un día más.Maybe we'll stay at the beach another day.

b. perhaps

Igual te acompaño.Perhaps I'll go with you.

c. may

Igual no estén en casa cuando los visitemos.They may not be home when we stop by.

d. might

Con suerte, igual te contratan.WIth a bit of luck, they might hire you.

9. (anyway)

a. just the same

Luís pidió disculpas pero la maestra lo castigó igual.Luis apologized, but the teacher punished him just the same.

b. still

Pagué la cuota a tiempo pero me cobraron recargos igual.I paid my dues on time, but was still charged late fees.

A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).

masculine noun

10. (mathematics)

a. equal sign

Regionalism used in the United States

(United States)

Esto debe ser un signo de mayor, no de igual.This should be a greater than symbol, not an equal sign.

b. equals sign

Regionalism used in the United Kingdom

(United Kingdom)

No se olviden de poner el igual en el problema.Don't forget to write the equals sign in the problem.

11. (equal in status)

a. peer

Le preocupaba la opinión de sus iguales.He worried about what his peers thought of him.

b. equal

La nueva jefa trata a sus subordinados de la misma forma que a sus iguales.The new boss treats her subordinates the same as her equals.

los iguales

A plural noun indicates that there is more than one person, place, thing, or idea.

plural noun

12.

A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).

(colloquial)

(lottery)

Regionalism used in Spain

(Spain)

a. lottery tickets

Compré unos iguales cuando estaba en Valencia.I bought some lottery tickets when I was in Valencia.

tanto(

tahn

toh

)

An adverb is a word that describes a verb, an adjective, or other adverbs (e.g., to run quickly, very tired).

adverb

1. (expressing quantity)

a. so much

Te quiero tanto.I love you so much.

An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).

adjective

2. (expressing quantity)

a. so much (singular)

Todavía tengo tanto trabajo para hacer.I have so much work still to do.

b. so many (plural)

Había tantos pasteles que nos llevamos algunos a casa.There were so many cakes that we took some home.

A pronoun is a word that stands in for a noun (e.g., she).

pronoun

3. (expressing quantity)

a. so much (singular)

Tanto que hacer y tan poco tiempo.So much to do, so little time.

b. so many (plural)

Solo guarda una fotografía que no se necesitan tantas.Just keep one photo as you don't need so many.

A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).

masculine noun

4. (sports)

a. point

Nuestro equipo acabó el torneo con 50 tantos.Our team finished the tournament with 50 points.

b. goal

El ídolo colombiano marcó dos tantos en el primer tiempo.The Colombian star scored two goals in the first half.

tantos

An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).

adjective

A word or phrase that is plural (e.g., los libros).

(plural)

(expressing quantity)

a. so many

A word or phrase that is plural (e.g., los libros).

(plural)

¿Realmente crees que necesitemos tantos globos para la fiesta? Es un lugar pequeño.Do you really think we need so many balloons for the party? It's a small venue.

A pronoun is a word that stands in for a noun (e.g., she).

pronoun

A word or phrase that is plural (e.g., los libros).

(plural)

(expressing quantity)

a. so many

A word or phrase that is plural (e.g., los libros).

(plural)

Es deprimente ver a un niño botar la comida cuando tantos pasan hambre.It's heartbreaking to see a child waste food when so many are hungry.

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