In the Spanish language, comparisons are not just about showcasing differences but also about highlighting similarities. Comparisons of equality are essential tools that allow speakers to express that two or more subjects share a similar degree of a particular quality or characteristic.
This article will delve into the various forms and structures used to create comparisons of equality in Spanish, providing clear examples and practical tips to help you use them correctly and effectively in your conversations.
Comparisons of Equality
Comparisons of equality in Spanish are formed using specific structures.
- With adjectives, you should use tan + adjective +
como . For example,María es tan alta como Ana (María is as tall as Ana). - With nouns, you should say
tanto + noun +como . Take into account thattanto should agree in gender and number with the noun. For example,No hay tantos chicos como chicas (There aren’t as many boys as girls).
Let’s look at some examples to better understand the usage of comparisons of equality in Spanish.
Comparisons of Equality with Adjectives
In Spanish if you want to say something or someone has the same quality as another, you’ll use the following structure:
| TAN | adjective | COMO |
| fuerte | ||
| rico | ||
| moderna | ||
| entretenidos |
In English the adjective is invariable. However, remember that in Spanish adjectives need to be changed so that they agree with the noun they are describing.
Tu hermano Antonio es tan fuerte como Hércules.
Your brother Antonio is as strong as Hercules.
Ese empresario irlandés es tan rico como ese político.
That Irish businessman is as rich as that politician.
La ciudad de Nueva York es tan moderna como Tokio.
The city of New York is as modern as Tokyo.
Los libros son tan entretenidos como los videojuegos.
Books are as entertaining as video games.
Estas piedras no son tan valiosas como los diamantes.
These stones are not as valuable as diamonds.
Los médicos son tan trabajadores como los abogados.
Doctors are as hard-working as lawyers.
En este pueblo, las noches son tan frías como los días.
In this town, the nights are as cold as days.
Comparisons of Equality with Nouns
In Spanish, if you want to use comparatives with nouns the formula is a bit different. Note that the form of
| TANTO | noun | COMO |
| espacio | ||
| leche | ||
| chicos | ||
| mujeres |
Los niños necesitan tanto espacio como los adultos.
Kids need as much space as grown-ups.
La madre de Ana bebe tanta leche como mi padre.
Ana’s mother drinks as much milk as my father.
Hay tantos chicos como chicas en esta clase de español.
There are as many boys as girls in this Spanish class.
Hay tantas mujeres como hombres en el planeta.
There are as many women as men on the planet.
Hay tantas mochilas rojas como mochilas verdes.
There are as many red backpacks as green backpacks.
Los niños comen tantos melocotones como mandarinas.
The children eat as many peaches as tangerines.
Los caballos de esa granja comen tanta hierba como las vacas.
The horses from that farm eat as much grass as cows do.
Exercises
Spanish comparisons of equality are crucial for expressing that two or more subjects share similar characteristics or qualities. This article explores the various forms and structures used to create these comparisons, such as