como
/komo/
In Spanish, como can mean several different things depending on its context.
The word can function as a conjunction or preposition meaning 'as' or 'like'. In other contexts, it can also be used as a verb.
Which one should you use?
The form como is distinct from cómo, which is the interrogative or exclamatory form meaning 'how'. Additionally, como (meaning 'I eat') is distinct from comió, which is the third-person singular past tense meaning 'he/she ate'. Finally, while one use of como means 'I eat', it also functions as a conjunction or preposition meaning 'as' or 'like'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Andean Spanish (Bolivia, Peru and Ecuador), cómo can mean 'what' or 'which' in addition to 'how'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form como is the first-person singular present indicative of the verb comer (to eat), meaning 'I eat'.
How do you pronounce it?
/komo/
Did you know?
- Spanish speakers often use como as a hesitation marker, similar to how English speakers use 'like' in the middle of a sentence.
- The Spanish word como comes from cōmō̆, which was a non-literary or colloquial version of the formal Latin word quōmodo.
- The phrase como sea is often used as a conversational filler similar to 'anyway' or 'regardless' in English, moving far beyond the literal meaning of 'as it may be'.
Examples in context
- Tal como mencioné antesJust as I mentioned before
- En calidad de representanteIn the capacity of representative
- ¿Cómo estás?How are you?
- Como dice mi madre, la paciencia es clave.As my mother says, patience is key.
- No entiendo por qué actúa como un niño.I don't understand why he acts like a child.
- Es un color muy bonito, como el cielo.It is a very beautiful color, like the sky.
Example conversation
Elena and Daniel are discussing a new colleague at work.
- Elena¿Cómo es tu nuevo compañero de trabajo?What is your new colleague like?
- DanielEs muy amable, como tú.He is very kind, like you.
- ElenaMe alegra saber que es una buena persona.I am glad to know he is a good person.
- DanielSí, trabaja muy bien en equipo.Yes, he works very well in a team.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry como, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries como, CC BY-SA 4.0.
