¿cuánto mides?
The English phrase "what is your height?" is expressed in Spanish as ¿cuánto mides?
This phrase is used to ask someone for the measurement of their body from head to foot.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase ¿cuánto mides? literally translates to "how much do you measure?"
Which one should you use?
While ¿cuánto mides? is the common way to ask how tall someone is, you may also encounter ¿Cuál es su altura? or ¿Cuánto mide usted? to express the same idea.
How does it change in a sentence?
If you are asking more than one person for their height, use ¿cuánto miden? When you are the one answering the question, the verb changes to the first person singular form mido (for example, "Mido 1.80 metros").
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid translating "what is your height?" literally as ¿cuál es tu altura? While understandable, it is not natural.
Did you know?
- The word cuánto shares a common ancestor with the English word 'quantify'. Both stem from the same Proto-Indo-European root used to ask about amount or size.
- In some formal or medical contexts, you might hear the noun estatura instead of altura. Estatura refers specifically to a person's physical stature, while altura can refer to the height of a mountain or a building.
- The verb medir can be used for people, objects, and even distances. If you ask ¿cuánto mide? about a table, you are asking for its length or height depending on the context.
Examples in context
- Si no te importa, ¿cuánto mides?If you don't mind, how tall are you?
- Para el formulario, ¿cuánto mides?For the form, how tall are you?
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing their heights while at the gym.
- MaríaOye Javier, ¿cuánto mides?Hey Javier, how tall are you?
- JavierMido uno ochenta y dos.I am one eighty-two.
- María¡Qué alto eres!You are so tall!
- JavierGracias, María.Thanks, María.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cuánto, CC BY-SA 4.0.
