tanto
/ˈtanto/
The English phrase 'this much' is translated into Spanish as tanto.
tanto is used to express the quantity 'this much'. In certain contexts, it also serves as the standard way to say 'so much'. Additionally, you may encounter the informal expression Así de mucho to mean 'this much'.
Which one should you use?
While tanto can mean 'this much' depending on the context, it is also the standard translation for 'so much'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word must agree in gender with the noun it modifies. Use tanta for feminine singular nouns and tantos for masculine plural countable nouns. For feminine plural countable nouns, use tantas. You can also use the correlative construction tanto… que to express the idea 'so much… that'.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /ˈtanto/.
Did you know?
- While tanto means 'this much' or 'so much', the phrase tanto gusto is the standard way to say 'nice to meet you', essentially meaning 'so much pleasure'.
- The expression tanto monta is a historic motto used by the Spanish monarchy to suggest that two things are of equal value or importance.
- The word tanto shares its DNA with the English word 'tantamount', which comes from the same Latin root 'tantus'.
Examples in context
- Tanto calor no es normal.This much heat isn't normal.This sentence is useful for illustrating the use of tanto with heat.Tatoeba #6674854 by arh, translation #9179766 by DJ_Saidez
- ¿Alguna vez has sudado tanto?Have you ever sweated this much?This sentence demonstrates how to use tanto when asking about sweating.Tatoeba #1726730 by marcelostockle, translation #1725548 by Amastan
- Es la primera vez que toso tanto.This is the first time I've ever coughed this much.This sentence shows how to use tanto when discussing the frequency of coughing.Tatoeba #1726738 by marcelostockle, translation #1725233 by Amastan
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alejandro and Elena are looking at a large pile of laundry.
- Alejandro¿Tienes tanto que lavar hoy?Do you have this much to wash today?
- ElenaSí, la ropa de la semana.Yes, the week's worth of clothes.
- AlejandroYo no tengo tanto trabajo.I don't have this much work.
- ElenaQué suerte tienes, Alejandro.You are so lucky, Alejandro.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry tanto, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries tanto, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
