Tan and tanto in Spanish comparisons of equality

The idea

Use tan before an adjective or adverb; use tanto, tanta, tantos or tantas before a noun to agree with it, followed by como.

Examples

• Esta mesa es tan alta como aquella.This table is as tall as that one.
• El café está tan caliente como el té.The coffee is as hot as the tea.
• Hay tantos libros como revistas.There are as many books as magazines.
• Tengo tanta paciencia como tú.I have as much patience as you.
• Estudiamos tanto como ellos.We study as much as they do.
• Hay tantas sillas como mesas.There are as many chairs as tables.

Watch out

With a verb, tanto remains unchanged: estudiamos tanto como ellos; do not use tan directly before the noun.

Try it yourself

1. Choose the form before the adjective alta. Esta mesa es ___ alta como aquella. (tan / tanto)

   Show answer or example answer

   tan

   Tan modifies the adjective alta.

2. Choose the form agreeing with plural libros. Hay ___ libros como revistas. (tantos / tantas)

   Show answer or example answer

   tantos

   Tantos agrees with the masculine plural noun libros.

3. Choose the unchanged form after the verb. Estudiamos ___ como ellos. (tanto / tan)

   Show answer or example answer

   tanto

   Tanto stays unchanged when it modifies estudiamos.

Use it today

Choose the form that matches the adjective, plural noun or verb in each comparison.