tantos
/TAHN-tohs/
so many
To express a large or unexpected quantity of masculine plural things, we use tantos (so many).
tantos(adjective)
so many
?To express a large, unexpected, or notable quantity of masculine plural things.
,as many
?Used in comparisons (e.g., as many as...).
too many
?Suggesting an excess.
📝 In Action
Hay tantos libros que no puedo elegir uno.
A1There are so many books that I can't choose one.
No tengo tantos amigos como mi hermano.
A2I don't have as many friends as my brother.
Hemos recibido tantos correos que la bandeja está llena.
B1We have received so many emails that the inbox is full.
💡 Grammar Points
Agreement is Key
Since 'tantos' is an adjective here, it must agree perfectly in gender (masculine) and number (plural) with the noun it describes: 'tantos perros' (so many dogs), not 'tantas perros'.
The 'So...That' Structure
You often use 'tantos' with the word 'que' (that) to describe a result: 'Comió tantos dulces que se enfermó' (He ate so many sweets that he got sick).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing Gender
Mistake: "Vi tantas hombres en la fiesta."
Correction: Vi tantos hombres en la fiesta. (Always use 'tantos' for masculine plural nouns like 'hombres'.)
⭐ Usage Tips
Emphasizing Quantity
Use 'tantos' instead of 'muchos' when you want to express surprise, intensity, or a greater degree of quantity—it adds emotional weight.
Used as a pronoun, tantos (so many) refers to an already known quantity of masculine items.
tantos(pronoun)
so many
?Referring to an already known quantity of masculine items.
,that many
?Referring specifically to a number just mentioned.
a large amount (of masculine things)
?Used generally when the context is clear.
📝 In Action
¿Cuántos correos tienes? Tengo tantos.
B1How many emails do you have? I have so many (of them).
Tú solo compraste diez. Yo compré el doble, tantos.
B2You only bought ten. I bought double that, that many.
No te preocupes por los problemas; hay muchos, pero no son tantos.
B2Don't worry about the problems; there are many, but not that many.
💡 Grammar Points
Replacing the Noun
When 'tantos' is a pronoun, it stands alone and replaces the masculine plural noun entirely, acting as a shortcut for a large quantity.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Mixing up Adjective and Pronoun
Mistake: "Compré tantos zapatos. (Incorrect if the person meant 'I bought so many of them,' where 'zapatos' was already mentioned.)"
Correction: The usage is grammatically correct as an adjective, but if you want to say 'I bought so many (of them),' you just say 'Compré tantos.'
⭐ Usage Tips
Use After Mention
Only use 'tantos' as a pronoun if the thing you are counting (e.g., dogs, books, emails) has already been clearly established in the conversation.
As a noun, tantos refers to the points or score accumulated in a game.
tantos(noun)
points
?Score in a game.
,goals
?Score in some sports (less common than 'gol').
score
?Referring to the total score.
📝 In Action
El equipo local lleva tres tantos a cero.
B2The home team is leading three points to zero.
Faltan cinco minutos y necesitamos más tantos para empatar.
C1There are five minutes left and we need more points to tie.
💡 Grammar Points
Specific Context
When used as a noun, 'tantos' usually means 'points' or 'goals' in a game. It is always masculine and plural in this sense.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Overusing the Noun Form
Mistake: "Tengo muchos tantos para hacer hoy. (Meaning: I have many tasks to do today.)"
Correction: Tengo muchas cosas que hacer hoy. (Use 'tantos' only for scores, not general 'things' or 'tasks'.)
⭐ Usage Tips
Alternative to Puntos
In football (soccer) or basketball, 'tanto' (singular) or 'tantos' (plural) is a slightly more classic way of referring to a score than just 'puntos' or 'goles'.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: tantos
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses 'tantos' to agree with the noun?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'muchos' and 'tantos'?
'Muchos' simply means 'many.' 'Tantos' means 'so many,' implying a degree of surprise, comparison, or emphasis on the quantity (e.g., 'I didn't think there would be tantos!').
How do I know whether to use 'tanto', 'tanta', 'tantos', or 'tantas'?
It depends on the noun you are describing: use 'tanto' for masculine singular nouns, 'tanta' for feminine singular nouns, 'tantos' for masculine plural nouns, and 'tantas' for feminine plural nouns. The word must always match the noun's gender and number.