Tal como/cual = Just as... (subordinate manner clauses)

Question 1

Tal como, tal y como, and tal cual

Answer 1

are used in Spanish to express that something is exactly as it was and hasn’t undergone any change. In English this is generally translated as “just as…, in the same condition… “. It can also take the same meaning as conjunction “como”, as in “just as/just like/like”, acting as a subordinate manner clause, telling how something is done/was done/will be done…

Tal cual is slightly more formal than the other two but it is still commonly used. And tal y como, with “y”, is slightly more emphatic.

Question 2

He returned the book to me just as I lent it to him, in perfect condition.

Answer 2

Me devolvió el libro tal como se lo presté, en perfectas condiciones.

Question 3

The film was just as you described it to me. I loved it

Answer 3

La película era tal cual me la describiste. Me gustó mucho.

Question 4

Don’t worry, I will give you a discount just as we agreed yesterday.

Answer 4

No te preocupes, te haré un descuento tal como hablamos ayer.

Question 5

I like you just as you are. Don’t change.

Answer 5

Me gustas tal cual eres. No cambies.

Question 6

Yesterday I finally met Eduardo. He is just as I had imagined him.

Answer 6

Ayer por fin conocí a Eduardo. Es tal y como lo había imaginado.