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¿cómo? means how? — a common term in Essential Spanish. Learn how it's used in a real-world example.

📅 Published: August 19, 2025

📘 Essential Spanish

¿cómo?

question • /[KOH-mo]/

how?

Example:

¿Cómo llego al centro?

How do I get to downtown?

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🧠 What does ¿cómo? mean?

The Spanish word '¿cómo?' means 'how?' in English. It's a fundamental question word used to inquire about the way something is done, the manner of something, or the state of being. Think of it as your go-to for asking 'in what way?' or 'by what means?'

📚 Extra examples

  • ¿Cómo estás?
    How are you?
  • ¿Cómo te llamas?
    What's your name? (Literally: How do you call yourself?)
  • ¿Cómo funciona esto?
    How does this work?
  • ¿Cómo llegaste aquí?
    How did you get here?
  • ¿Cómo es tu familia?
    How is your family? / What is your family like?

❓ FAQ

How do you say 'how?' in Spanish?
The Spanish word for 'how?' is '¿cómo?'.
How do you pronounce '¿cómo?' in Spanish?
It's pronounced 'KOH-moh,' with the stress on the first syllable. Remember to use both the opening and closing question marks—they're important in written Spanish!
How do you use '¿cómo?' in a sentence?
You use '¿cómo?' at the beginning of a question to ask about the manner or method of something. For example, '¿Cómo cocinas la paella?' (How do you cook paella?).
What is the English translation of '¿cómo?'?
The English translation of '¿cómo?' is 'how?'.
Does '¿cómo?' change for gender or number?
No, '¿cómo?' remains the same regardless of gender or number.
Is '¿cómo?' common in everyday Spanish?
Yes, '¿cómo?' is extremely common and essential for everyday conversation in Spanish.
Does '¿cómo?' have slang or double meanings?
While '¿cómo?' itself doesn't have slang meanings, the way it's used with other words or phrases can sometimes have a colloquial or idiomatic meaning, depending on the context.
Is '¿cómo?' used differently in Spain vs Latin America?
The core meaning and usage of '¿cómo?' are consistent across Spain and Latin America.

💡 Did You Know?

While '¿cómo?' generally translates to 'how?', it can sometimes also mean 'what?' when asking for someone's name. '¿Cómo te llamas?' literally translates to 'How do you call yourself?' but means 'What's your name?'

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