cuan
“cuan” means “as” in Spanish (in comparisons (as great as)).
as, how
Also: to what extent
📝 In Action
Cuan grande era su pena, así de noble fue su espíritu.
C2As great was his sorrow, so noble was his spirit.
Debemos actuar cuan pronto sea posible.
C1We must act as soon as possible.
Cuan bueno es que el sol brille.
C2How good it is that the sun shines.
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: cuan
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence correctly uses 'cuan' in a modern, everyday context?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
It comes from the Latin word *quantum*, meaning 'how much' or 'to what extent.' Spanish shortened it first to *cuanto* and then further to *cuan* when it is placed directly before another word.
First recorded: Medieval Spanish
Cognates (Related words)
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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.