cómo
/ˈkomo/
The Spanish phrase for "how to" is cómo.
The phrase cómo is used to introduce a description of the method or process for performing an action. For example, you can use cómo cocinar for "how to cook" or cómo conducir for "how to drive".
Which one should you use?
It is important to distinguish between cómo and como. While cómo means "how to", the form como without the accent mark means "as" or "like".
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈkomo/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not use como to mean "how to". Ensure you include the accent mark to use the correct form cómo.
Did you know?
- If you remove the accent to create como, the word can also function as a verb meaning 'I eat'.
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, saying ¿Cómo? with a rising intonation can be perceived as blunt or rude, so many people prefer ¿Mande? or ¿Perdón?
- The word cómo is a descendant of the Latin word cōmō̆, which was a simplified, non-literary version of the more formal quōmodo.
Examples in context
- No sé cómo usarla.I do not know how to use it.Tatoeba #1570172 by marcelostockle, translation #254386 by CK
- No sé cómo usarlo.I don't know how to use it.Tatoeba #2232361 by Shishir, translation #2362086 by CK
- Yo sé cómo hacerlo.I know how to do it.Tatoeba #1264758 by marcelostockle, translation #1121830 by CK
- Cómo se hace una buena presentaciónHow to make a good presentation
- Cómo hacer una tarta de manzanaHow to make an apple pie
- Sabes bailar salsaYou know how to dance salsa
- Cómo hacer para llegar a la estaciónHow to get to the station
- 473 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucía and Daniel are in the kitchen looking at a recipe.
- LucíaDaniel, dime cómo hacer este postre.Daniel, tell me how to make this dessert.
- DanielPrimero, necesito saber cómo usar este horno.First, I need to know how to use this oven.
- Lucía¿Sabes cómo encenderlo?Do you know how to turn it on?
- DanielNo, no sé cómo hacerlo.No, I don't know how to do it.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry cómo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cómo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
