¿cuánto mide?
The English phrase "how long is it?" is translated into Spanish as ¿cuánto mide?
Use ¿cuánto mide? specifically to ask about the physical dimensions of an object, such as its length, width or height. It is not used to ask about the passage of time.
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, ¿cuánto mide? translates to "how much does it measure?"
Which one should you use?
While ¿cuánto mide? refers to physical length, you should use ¿cuánto dura? if you are asking how long an event or a movie lasts in time.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, it is more common to say ¿Cuánto tiempo dura? instead of ¿Cuánto tiempo tiene de duración? to ask about duration.
How does it change in a sentence?
When talking about how long a trip takes, you can use the verb tardar (to take), as seen in the phrase ¿Cuánto tiempo tarda el viaje?
Did you know?
- In some contexts, medir is used metaphorically to describe the 'length' of a person's ambition or courage, such as in the phrase medir sus fuerzas.
- The word cuánto is a distant relative of the English word 'quantify'. Both trace back to the same Proto-Indo-European root used to ask 'how much'.
- While ¿cuánto mide? asks about length, Spanish speakers often use the verb medir to describe a person's height. To ask how tall someone is, you simply ask ¿cuánto mides?
Examples in context
- ¿Cuánto tiempo tiene de duración el concierto?How long is the concert?
Example conversation
Alejandro and María are measuring a piece of fabric for a project.
- AlejandroMira esta tela, María. ¿Cuánto mide?Look at this fabric, María. How long is it?
- MaríaCreo que mide dos metros.I think it is two meters long.
- AlejandroEso es perfecto para el mantel.That is perfect for the tablecloth.
- MaríaSí, Alejandro, es el tamaño ideal.Yes, Alejandro, it is the ideal size.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cuánto, CC BY-SA 4.0.
