A colorful storybook illustration showing two perfectly identical green trees standing side-by-side on a small hill, emphasizing they are the same height and size.

cuan

kwahn

adverbC1

as?in comparisons (as great as),how?expressing degree (how much)

Also:to what extent?literary phrasing

📝 In Action

Cuan grande era su pena, así de noble fue su espíritu.

As great was his sorrow, so noble was his spirit.

Debemos actuar cuan pronto sea posible.

We must act as soon as possible.

Cuan bueno es que el sol brille.

How good it is that the sun shines.

Word Connections

Synonyms

tan (so, as)
cuán (how)

Common Collocations

cuan pronto – as soon as
cuan lejos – how far

💡 Grammar Points

A Shortened Form

‘Cuan’ is a shortened version (linguists call this 'apocope') of the word 'cuánto' or 'cuán'. It is only used when it comes immediately before an adjective or another adverb (like 'pronto' or 'grande').

Formal Comparisons

In modern Spanish, 'cuan' is almost always replaced by 'tan' (as/so) in comparisons. Using 'cuan' signals a very elevated, old-fashioned, or poetic style.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Using 'Cuan' in Questions

Mistake: "¿Cuan lejos está?"

Correction: ¿Cuán lejos está? (or simply, ¿A qué distancia está?)

⭐ Usage Tips

When to Use the Accent

If you are using this word in an exclamation or a direct question, the rule dictates you must write it with an accent: 'cuán'. If you are using it in a comparison or fixed phrase like 'cuan pronto', the accent is generally omitted.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: cuan

Question 1 of 1

Which sentence correctly uses 'cuan' in a modern, everyday context?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

cuánto(how much) - adverb, adjective, pronoun

cuán(how (exclamatory)) - adverb

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I ever use 'cuan' in a conversation?

Almost certainly not. Using 'cuan' in daily conversation would sound highly theatrical or strange to native speakers, like using archaic language in English. Stick to 'tan' or 'cuán' (with an accent) for intensity and 'cuánto' for quantity.

What is the key difference between 'cuan' and 'cuán'?

The accent changes the function. 'Cuán' (with accent) is the standard, though still formal, way to say 'how' in questions or exclamations. 'Cuan' (no accent) is reserved for literary comparisons, meaning 'as' or 'to the degree that,' and is very rare.