como que (spanish) - meaning, definition, translation, pronunciation

Part of Speech

The phrase "como que" is a colloquial expression in Spanish. It functions primarily as a conjunction or phrase to express doubt, uncertainty, or to introduce a qualification.

Phonetic Transcription

/kómo ke/

Translation Options into English

"como que" can be translated to English in various ways depending on the context, including: - "like" - "as if" - "sort of" - "kind of"

Meaning and Usage

"como que" is frequently used in informal speech to express a sense of approximation, hesitation, or to imply that something is not definitive. It can often indicate that the speaker is trying to convey a thought or feeling that may not be entirely clear or concrete.

Frequency of Use

This expression is commonly used in oral conversations rather than in formal written contexts. It is prevalent among native speakers in casual discussions.

Example Sentences

1. No sé, como que no me convence esa idea.

2. "I don't know, it's like that idea doesn't convince me."

3. Como que se me hace raro que no haya venido.

4. "It's as if it's strange to me that he/she hasn't come."

5. La película estuvo buena, pero como que le faltó algo.

6. "The movie was good, but it kind of lacked something."

Idiomatic Expressions

"Como que" is often used in various idiomatic expressions that capture feelings of ambiguity or uncertainty. Here are a few notable ones:

1. Como que me da la impresión de que no lo quiere.

2. "It's like I get the impression that he doesn't want him."

3. Como que no es el momento adecuado para discutir esto.

4. "It's sort of not the right moment to discuss this."

5. Estaba allí, como que perdido en sus pensamientos.

6. "He was there, kind of lost in his thoughts."

7. Como que todos están de acuerdo, pero nadie dice nada.

8. "It seems like everyone agrees, but no one says anything."

9. Al principio, como que no entendía de qué hablaban.

10. "At first, it was as if I didn't understand what they were talking about."

11. Ella llegó, como que contenta, pero no lo mostró.

12. "She arrived, like happy, but she didn’t show it."

Etymology

The phrase "como que" is derived from the Spanish word "como," which means "like" or "as," combined with "que," which means "that." The combination has evolved to convey a sense of uncertainty or approximation in colloquial speech.

Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms:
- "como si" (as if) - "casi" (almost, nearly) - "parece que" (it seems that)

Antonyms: - "definitivamente" (definitely) - "ciertamente" (certainly) - "seguramente" (surely)

In conclusion, "como que" is a versatile colloquial expression that conveys a sense of approximation or uncertainty, primarily in spoken Spanish. It is widely used in informal settings and often appears in various idiomatic constructions.