Inner Lens

Não vemos as coisas como elas são, vemos as coisas como nós somos.

We don’t see things as they are, we see things as we are.

Today's vocabulary

🧠 Vemos: We see💥 Coisas: Things🌍 São: They are📚 Somos: We are

Como

The word 'como' translates primarily to 'how', 'like', or 'as'. Use it to ask questions, compare two things, or explain the way an action is done.

It also functions as the word 'since' or 'because' when placed at the beginning of a sentence.

Asking ‘how’ or ‘in what way’

This is the most common way you will use 'como'. It is just like asking 'how' to do something or asking for a description of a person or situation.

• 👋 Como estás hoje? (How are you today?)
• ❓ Como é que isto funciona? (How does this work?)
• 📝 Como te chamas? (What is your name?)

Comparing things

When you want to say something is 'like' or 'as' something else, you use 'como'. It is perfect for making comparisons or describing how someone acts.

• ❄️ A neve é branca como o leite. (The snow is white as milk.)
• 🎭 Ele fala como se fosse um especialista. (He speaks as if he were an expert.)
• 🏃 Ele corre como um atleta. (He runs like an athlete.)

Explaining a reason

You can use 'como' at the start of a sentence to mean 'since' or 'because'. It is a great way to explain why you did something.

• 🚶‍♂️ Como não respondeste, fui embora. (Since you didn't answer, I left.)
• 🌧️ Como estava a chover, fiquei em casa. (Because it was raining, I stayed home.)
• ⏰ Como cheguei tarde, perdi o autocarro. (Since I arrived late, I missed the bus.)

Como vs. qual

People often mix these up. You use 'como' to ask about the nature or quality of something, while you use 'qual' when you are asking someone to choose between options or identify something specific.

• 🤔 Como é o teu carro? (What is your car like?)
• 🚗 Qual é o teu carro? (Which one is your car?)
• 🌈 Como é a tua casa? (What is your house like?)
• 🏠 Qual é a tua casa? (Which one is your house?)