cuán
“cuán” means “how” in Spanish (Used for emphasis before an adjective or adverb).
how
Also: to what extent
📝 In Action
¡Cuán hermoso es el paisaje al amanecer!
C1How beautiful the landscape is at dawn!
Ella no comprendía cuán rápidamente había cambiado la situación.
B2She did not understand how quickly the situation had changed.
¿Cuán lejos estamos de la verdad?
C1How far are we from the truth?
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: cuán
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses the literary word 'cuán'?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼
A shortened form of the Spanish word 'cuánto' (how much), which comes from the Latin word 'quantum' meaning 'how great' or 'how much.' The short form 'cuán' developed specifically for use before adjectives and adverbs.
First recorded: Medieval Spanish
Cognates (Related words)
💡 Master Spanish
Take your Spanish to the next level. Read 200+ illustrated and narrated Spanish stories tailored to your level with the Inklingo app!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'cuán' and 'cuánto'?
'Cuánto' (and its forms cuánta, cuántos, cuántas) is used before nouns (things) and verbs, meaning 'how much' or 'how many.' 'Cuán' is a shorter, formal version used *only* before adjectives (descriptive words) and adverbs (words describing actions or manner).
Can I use 'cuán' in everyday conversation?
While grammatically correct, it will sound very old-fashioned, poetic, or overly dramatic. Native speakers almost always use 'qué' plus the adjective for exclamations (e.g., '¡Qué interesante!' instead of '¡Cuán interesante!').