Tan v. Tanto

Question 1

tan (adverb)

Answer 1

tan (adverb)
When “tan”is used as an adverb modifying another adverb or an adjective, it means “so”.

• Ella es tan metódica. = She is so methodical.
• Es tan grande que no me lo puedo imaginar. = It is so big I can’t fathom it.
• Sucedió tan rápidamente… = It happened so quickly…

Sentences using tan often can be translated using the word such in English.

• Tiene una barba tan grande. = He has such a big beard.
• Está tan lejos. = It’s such a long way away (It’s so far away).

Question 2

tanto (adjective)

Answer 2

tanto (adjective)
Tanto (and tantos, tanta, tantas) are adjectives, used to modify nouns, and are usually translated “so much” or “so many”. Tanto must agree in number and gender with the noun it modifies, so in many cases it must change to tantos, tanta or tantas.

• ¡Tengo tanto trabajo! = I have so much work.
• Traigo tantos libros que no aguanto llevar mi mochila. = I’m bringing so many books I can hardly carry my backpack.
• He visto tanta televisión que me duele la cabeza. = I’ve watched so much TV that my head hurts.
• ¡Tengo tantas ganas de ir! = I want to go so much!

Using tan and tanto in ‘as … as’ comparisons (tan ‘x’ como ‘y’ = as ‘x’ as ‘y’).

• El no es tan viejo como yo. = He is not as old as I am.
• No tengo tanto dinero como ella. = I don’t have as much money as she does.
• Vi tantos coches como tú. = I saw as many cars as you did.
• Tomo tanta agua como tú. = I drink as much water as you.
• Tengo tantas canicas como tú. = I have as many marbles as you.

With these comparisons, what’s the difference between tan and tanto/tantos/tanta/tantas? It’s simply this: If the word you’re modifying is an adverb or adjective, you need to use tan. If the word you’re modifying is a noun, use tanto, and make sure it agrees in number and gender with the noun (tanto/tantos/tanta/tantas). In the above examples. Viejo is an adjective, while dinero, coches, agua and canicas are nouns.

Question 3

She is so methodical.

Answer 3

Ella es tan metódica.

Question 4

It is so big I can’t fathom it.

Answer 4

Es tan grande que no me lo puedo imaginar.

Question 5

It happened so quickly…

Answer 5

Sucedió tan rápidamente…

Question 6

He has such a big beard.

Answer 6

Tiene una barba tan grande.

Question 7

It’s such a long way away (It’s so far away).

Answer 7

Está tan lejos.

Question 8

I have so much work.

Answer 8

¡Tengo tanto trabajo!

Question 9

I’m bringing so many books I can hardly carry my backpack.

Answer 9

Traigo tantos libros que no aguanto llevar mi mochila.

Question 10

I’ve watched so much TV that my head hurts.

Answer 10

He visto tanta televisión que me duele la cabeza.

Question 11

I want to go so much!

Answer 11

¡Tengo tantas ganas de ir!

Question 12

He is not as old as I am.

Answer 12

El no es tan viejo como yo.

Question 13

I don’t have as much money as she does.

Answer 13

No tengo tanto dinero como ella.

Question 14

I saw as many cars as you did.

Answer 14

Vi tantos coches como tú.

Question 15

I drink as much water as you.

Answer 15

Tomo tanta agua como tú.

Question 16

I have as many marbles as you.

Answer 16

Tengo tantas canicas como tú.