¿cómo es?
In Spanish, 'what does it look like?' is expressed as ¿cómo es?
This phrase is used to ask for a description of the physical appearance or characteristics of someone or something. Interestingly, while it asks for a physical description in this context, ¿cómo es? is also the standard way to ask about a person's character or personality.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to 'how is it?' rather than 'what does it look like?'
Which one should you use?
Depending on your goal, you might use different forms: ¿A qué se parece? is used specifically to ask 'what does it resemble?' ¿Cómo luce? is used to ask 'how does it look?' or 'what does it look like?' If you want to use a colloquial style to ask what something looks like or what it seems like, you can say ¿Qué pinta tiene?
Is it said differently in some regions?
The form ¿Cómo luce?, which means 'How does it look?' or 'What does it look like?', is particularly popular in Latin American Spanish.
Did you know?
- The word lucir in ¿Cómo luce? is related to the Latin word for 'light'. Originally, it meant to shine or be bright, which is why it now describes how something appears to the eye.
- In some regions, ¿Cómo es? is used as a filler or a request for clarification similar to 'What do you mean?' or 'Wait, how does that work?'
- The phrase ¿Qué pinta tiene? uses a word for 'paint' to ask about appearance. In this context, pinta refers to a person's general look or the 'air' they give off.
Examples in context
- ¿A qué se parece este animal?What does this animal resemble?
- ¿Cómo luce este vestido?How does this dress look?
- ¿Cómo es tu nuevo coche?What does your new car look like?
Example conversation
Daniel and Elena are talking about a new colleague.
- DanielHay un chico nuevo en la oficina.There is a new guy in the office.
- ElenaNo lo conozco. ¿Cómo es?I don't know him. What does he look like?
- DanielEs alto y tiene el pelo rubio.He is tall and has blond hair.
- ElenaGracias, Daniel. Ahora lo reconoceré.Thanks, Daniel. Now I will recognize him.
