Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
How to Say As in Spanish
Como · conjunction · KOH-moh
The English word as translates to como in most contexts. Spanish also uses tan...como for equal comparisons, ya que for because/since, and mientras for simultaneous actions.
KOH-moh
Hazlo como te expliqué ayer.
Do it as I explained to you yesterday.
As in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for as, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| como | as | KOH-moh | Default, widely understood |
| tan...como | as | Universal — as...as in comparisons | |
| ya que | as | Universal — as/since, giving a reason | |
| mientras | as | Universal — as/while, simultaneous actions | |
| según | as | Universal — as/according to |
How Native Speakers Use Como
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Describing manner or similarity
Cocina como su madre le enseñó.
She cooks as her mother taught her.
Como expresses manner — how something is done — mirroring the English use of as meaning in the way that.
Making an equal comparison
Tu casa es tan grande como la mía.
Your house is as big as mine.
The construction tan + adjective + como creates equal comparisons, equivalent to as...as in English.
Giving a reason or cause
Ya que no viniste, empezamos sin ti.
As you didn't come, we started without you.
Ya que or como at the start of a sentence can mean as or since when providing a reason for what follows.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Como
Using como for as...as without tan
Incorrect: Ella es alta como su hermano.
Correct: Ella es tan alta como su hermano.
Equal comparisons require the full structure tan + adjective + como. Dropping tan changes the meaning to she is tall like her brother, which is a looser comparison.
Confusing como (as) with cómo (how)
Incorrect: ¿Como se dice esto? (missing accent)
Correct: ¿Cómo se dice esto?
Como without an accent means as or like. Cómo with an accent is the interrogative how. The accent mark changes the meaning entirely and is required in questions and exclamations.
Lock in As Vocabulary with the Parrot Method
Why word lists alone don't stick
Memorizing a translation feels productive, but most learners forget 70% of what they studied within 48 hours. Vocabulary needs spaced repetition AND real-world exposure to transfer to long-term memory.
See Como used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using como in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear Hazlo como te expliqué ayer. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
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Common Questions About As in Spanish
- When should I use ya que instead of como for as/since?
- Both work for giving reasons, but como in this sense must appear at the beginning of the sentence: Como no tenías hambre, no pedí comida. Ya que is more flexible and can appear mid-sentence as well.
- How do I say 'as well' in Spanish?
- As well translates to también. For example: Yo también quiero ir (I want to go as well). Do not try to translate as well literally using como — it is an idiomatic expression in English.
- Can como mean like in casual speech?
- Como frequently serves as the equivalent of like in everyday Spanish: Es como un hermano para mí (He is like a brother to me). This usage is completely standard and not considered informal the way like sometimes is in English.