tanto
/ˈtanto/
In Spanish, "so much" is expressed as tanto.
The word tanto is used to indicate a certain degree or extent. It can function as an adverb to modify a verb or an adjective, or as an adjective to modify a noun.
Meaning: to a certain degree or extent (adv)
Which one should you use?
As an adverb, tanto means "so much". However, when used in a comparison (for example, tanto como), it meansas much"."
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some Latin American countries, the colloquial phrase Un chorro de is used to mean "a lot of" or "a ton of".
How does it change in a sentence?
The form of the word must agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies. Use tanto for masculine singular, tanta for feminine singular, tantos for masculine plural (meaning "so many") and tantas for feminine plural (meaning "so many").
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈtanto/
Did you know?
- In Spanish, the word tanto is used in the common idiom tanto ruido y pocas nueces, which means 'so much noise and so few walnuts'. It describes a situation that is hyped up but results in very little.
- The word tanto is a cognate of the English word 'tantamount', which means equivalent in value or intensity.
- While tanto means 'so much', the phrase un chorro de literally translates to 'a stream of'. It is used in Mexico to describe a large quantity of something, similar to saying 'a ton of' in English.
Examples in context
- Amo tanto a María.I love Mary so much.This sentence shows how to use tanto to express the intensity of an emotion.Tatoeba #2908560 by marcelostockle, translation #1887549 by CN
- Yo no duermo tanto.I don't sleep so much.This example demonstrates the use of tanto in a negative sentence.Tatoeba #1580215 by marcelostockle, translation #1568763 by Sharaf78
- ¿Por qué tanto odio?Why so much hate?This sentence illustrates using tanto to describe an amount of an abstract concept.Tatoeba #597688 by Shishir, translation #838760 by Scott
- Tengo tanto trabajo por hacer.I have so much work to do.
- Hay tanta gente aquí.There are so many people here.
- Tengo un montón de deberes para mañana.I have so much homework for tomorrow.
- Hay un montón de películas en esa plataforma.There are so many movies on that platform.
- Comí demasiada comida en la fiesta.I ate too much food at the party.
- Tengo mucho trabajo pendiente.I have so much pending work.
- Hay muchas opciones para elegir.There are so many options to choose from.
- Compré un chorro de regalos para Navidad.I bought a ton of gifts for Christmas.
- Tiene un chorro de amigos en esa escuela.He/she has a lot of friends at that school.
- 263 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alejandro and Sofía are talking in a quiet cafe.
- AlejandroNo hay tanto ruido aquí, ¿verdad?There isn't so much noise here, right?
- SofíaSí, es un lugar muy tranquilo.Yes, it is a very quiet place.
- AlejandroMe gusta tanto este ambiente.I like this atmosphere so much.
- SofíaA mí también me gusta mucho.I like it a lot too.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “so much” translations and entries tanto, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
