como si
/ˈkomo si/
The English phrase "as if" is translated into Spanish as como si.
como si is used to describe a situation that is not true but is imagined to be so.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase como si is almost always followed by a verb in the imperfect subjunctive mood. When using como si to describe an unreal or hypothetical state, you must use the imperfect subjunctive forms like fuera or fuese instead of the indicative.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈkomo si/
Did you know?
- In some Spanish-speaking regions, como si is used as a sarcastic exclamation to mean 'yeah, right' or 'no way' when someone makes an unbelievable claim.
- While como si triggers the subjunctive in formal speech, speakers in some Caribbean dialects may use the indicative mood in casual conversation.
- In legal or highly formal Spanish texts, authors may use cual si as a poetic or archaic alternative to como si.
Examples in context
- Actúa como si no supieras.Act as if you don't know.This sentence shows how to use como si to describe acting as if one does not know.Tatoeba #2943096 by hayastan, translation #11771672 by rozsarozsa
- Actúa como si fuera un rey.He acts as if he were a king.This sentence illustrates the use of como si with the imperfect subjunctive to describe acting as if someone were a king.Tatoeba #1332196 by Shishir, translation #292954 by CK
- Habla como si lo supiera todo.She talks as if she knew everything.This sentence demonstrates using como si to describe speaking as if one knew everything.Tatoeba #917552 by Shishir, translation #312272 by CK
- Ella habla como si supiera todoShe speaks as if she knows everything
- Cabe mencionar que el presidente actúa como si ignorara los problemasIt is worth noting that the president acts as if he were unaware of the problems
- Habla como si supiera más que nadieShe speaks as if she knows more than anyone else
- Yo actuaré como si nada hubiera pasadoI will act as if nothing happened
- Él habla en plan que lo sabe todoHe speaks as if he knows everything
- 154 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mateo and Sofía are talking about their neighbor's strange behavior.
- Mateo¿Has visto a nuestro vecino?Have you seen our neighbor?
- SofíaSí, camina por la calle como si fuera el dueño.Yes, he walks down the street as if he owned the place.
- MateoEs verdad, siempre tiene una actitud extraña.It's true, he always has a strange attitude.
- SofíaParece que vive en su propio mundo.It seems like he lives in his own world.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry como si, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
