¿como qué?
/komo ˈke/word by word
The Spanish phrase for "like what" is ¿como qué?
The phrase ¿como qué? is a question used to ask for a specific example of something that was previously mentioned in a conversation.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, it is common to use ¿como qué? to convey the meaning of "like what?" In Argentina, people might use the phrase ¿tipo qué? for a similar informal meaning.
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, asking ¿como qué? during a disagreement can be used to challenge someone to provide proof, acting less as a request for information and more as a skeptical prompt.
- The word qué shares an ancient ancestor with the English word 'what', both tracing back to the Proto-Indo-European root *kʷid.
- Depending on the tone, saying ¿como qué? with a rising inflection at the end can signal that the speaker is genuinely confused, while a flatter tone often suggests they are bored or impatient.
Examples in context
- "Tienen tanto en común." "¿Como qué?""You've got so much in common." "Like what?"This example shows how to ask for specific examples of things in common using ¿como qué?Tatoeba #9475871 by hayastan, translation #8116785 by Hybrid
- "Quiero que algo pase." "¿Como qué?" "No sé.""I want something to happen." "Like what?" "I don't know."This example demonstrates using ¿como qué? to ask for an example of something that should happen.Tatoeba #9475872 by hayastan, translation #3250927 by Hybrid
- "Tienen tanto en común." "¿Como qué?" "Bueno, para empezar, son solteros.""You've got so much in common." "Like what?" "Well, for a start you're both single."This example shows a way to follow up a ¿como qué? question with a specific example.Tatoeba #9475881 by hayastan, translation #8116786 by Hybrid
- ¿Tipo qué estás buscando?Like what are you looking for?
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
María and Javier are discussing a new hobby.
- MaríaNecesito comprar algunas herramientas.I need to buy some tools.
- Javier¿Como qué?Like what?
- MaríaUn martillo y unos clavos.A hammer and some nails.
- JavierPuedo acompañarte a la tienda.I can go with you to the store.
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (como, qué) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries como, qué, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
