qué tanto
vs
tan

QUICK ANSWER

"Qué tanto" is a form of "qué tanto", a phrase which is often translated as "how much". "Tan" is an adverb which is often translated as "so". Learn more about the difference between "qué tanto" and "tan" below.

qué tanto(

keh

tahn

toh

)

A phrase is a group of words commonly used together (e.g., once upon a time).

phrase

1. (general)

Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.

(Latin America)

a. how much

¿Qué tanto tienes que pagar por adelantado para reservar las entradas?How much have you got to pay in advance to book the tickets?

b. how long (time)

Me pregunto qué tanto hay que esperar para que el gobierno se decida a tomar cartas en el asunto.I wonder how long we have to wait for the government to decide to intervene.

tan(

tahn

)

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

adverb

1. (so much)

a. so

Mi hijo estaba tan cansado cuando llegó que se durmió enseguida.My son was so tired when he arrived, he fell asleep immediately.

b. such

¡Hace muchos años que no tomábamos una cena tan buena!We haven't had such a good dinner in many years!

2. (in comparisons)

a. as