Inklingo
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tantas

/tan-tas/

so many

A massive, dense cloud or swarm composed entirely of brightly colored butterflies, illustrating a very large quantity.

When expressing an extremely large quantity of feminine nouns, we use 'tantas' meaning 'so many.'

tantas(Determiner)

fA2

so many

?

expressing large quantity

,

so much

?

when referring to non-countable nouns treated as plural, though usually 'tanta'

Also:

that many

?

referring back to a known number

📝 In Action

¡Hay tantas flores hermosas en el jardín!

A2

There are so many beautiful flowers in the garden!

Necesité responder tantas preguntas que me cansé.

B1

I needed to answer so many questions that I got tired.

¿Por qué tienes tantas cosas inútiles?

A2

Why do you have so many useless things?

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • muchas (many)
  • numerosas (numerous)

Antonyms

  • pocas (few)

Common Collocations

  • Tantas veces – So many times
  • Tantas gracias – So many thanks (or often used sarcastically)

💡 Grammar Points

Gender and Number Agreement

Use 'tantas' ONLY when describing a noun that is feminine and plural, like 'casas' (houses) or 'amigas' (friends).

❌ Common Pitfalls

Confusing 'Tantas' with 'Tan'

Mistake: "Usar 'tan casas' en lugar de 'tantas casas'."

Correction: 'Tan' means 'so' and is used only before adjectives or adverbs ('tan rápido'). 'Tantas' means 'so many' and is used before nouns.

⭐ Usage Tips

Expressing Surprise

Placing 'tantas' before a noun often conveys surprise or intensity, similar to using an exclamation mark.

Two separate, distinct groups of flowers. The group on the left consists of red roses, and the group on the right consists of yellow roses. Both groups contain the exact same number of flowers, demonstrating equality in quantity.

We use 'tantas' to mean 'as many' when comparing equal quantities of feminine nouns.

tantas(Determiner)

fB1

as many

?

in the structure 'as many [feminine nouns] as...'

📝 In Action

Ella tiene tantas pulseras como yo.

A2

She has as many bracelets as I do.

No puedes tener tantas excusas como tu hermana.

B1

You can't have as many excuses as your sister.

Compramos tantas telas como nos permitía el presupuesto.

B2

We bought as many fabrics as the budget allowed us.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • igual número de (equal number of)

Common Collocations

  • Tantas... como – As many... as

💡 Grammar Points

The 'Tantas... Como' Formula

This word is the feminine plural part of the formula 'tanto/a/os/as... como,' which compares quantities: 'I have as many pencils as you' (Tengo tantos lápices como tú).

❌ Common Pitfalls

Mixing Comparison Words

Mistake: "Decir 'tantas más que' o 'tantas que'."

Correction: When comparing equal quantities, 'tantas' must always be followed by 'como.' Use 'más que' or 'menos que' for unequal comparisons.

⭐ Usage Tips

Implied Nouns

If the feminine plural noun is already clear from context, you can use 'tantas' alone as a pronoun: 'Yo tengo diez, y ella tiene tantas también.' (I have ten, and she has that many too.)

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: tantas

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence correctly uses 'tantas'?

📚 More Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

If I am describing 'so many books' (libros), should I use 'tantas'?

No. 'Libros' (books) is masculine plural, so you must use the masculine plural form: 'tantos libros.' Remember, 'tantas' is only for feminine plural nouns.

What is the difference between 'tan' and 'tantas'?

'Tan' is an adverb meaning 'so' and goes before adjectives or adverbs (e.g., 'tan rápido'). 'Tantas' is a determiner meaning 'so many' and goes before feminine plural nouns (e.g., 'tantas estrellas').