Como is one of the most common words in the Spanish language, yet it confuses learners fast. Without an accent, como means “like,” “as,” or “I eat.” With an accent, cómo means “how.”
In casual conversation, Spanish speakers also use como as slang — as a filler word, a way to say “what?”, or to express doubt. This guide breaks down every meaning, so you never mix them up again.
What Does “Como” Mean in Spanish?
Como (no accent) is a Spanish word used for comparisons, reasons, and as a verb form of comer (to eat).
- Like / As — Ella canta como un pájaro (She sings like a bird)
- Since / Because — Como llueve, me quedo en casa (Since it’s raining, I’m staying home)
- I eat — Yo como pizza los viernes (I eat pizza on Fridays)
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Como vs. Cómo
The difference between como and cómo comes down to one small mark — the accent (tilde). That single mark changes both pronunciation and meaning completely.
| Word | Meaning | Example | Translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| como | like / as | Es como tú | It’s like you |
| como | since / because | Como no vino, me fui | Since he didn’t come, I left |
| como | I eat | Como pizza los viernes | I eat pizza on Fridays |
| cómo | how | ¿Cómo estás? | How are you? |
| cómo | how (exclamation) | ¡Cómo no! | Of course! |
Quick tip: If the sentence is a question or shows surprise, use cómo. If it’s a statement, comparison, or reason, use como.
“Como” in Texting and Social Media
In texting and social media, the accent on cómo is often dropped for speed, blending it with como.
- como estas? — meant as ¿cómo estás? (how are you?)
- como que si — “kind of, yeah”
- comooo — stretched for emphasis, like “whaaat“
This is common on WhatsApp, Instagram, and TikTok, especially among younger users, but formal writing still requires the accent.
What Does “¿Cómo?” Mean in Slang?
¿Cómo? is casual Spanish for “what?” or “pardon?” — used when someone didn’t hear or understand what was just said.
- ¿Cómo? No te escuché. — What? I didn’t hear you.
- ¿Cómo dices? — What did you say?
This usage is extremely common in everyday speech across Mexico, Colombia, and Spain. It works exactly like “what?” or “come again?” in English.
Is “Como” Used as a Filler Word?
Yes, como functions as a filler word, similar to “um” or “like” in English speech.
- Es que, como, no sé qué hacer. — It’s just, like, I don’t know what to do.
- Estaba, como, muy nervioso. — He was, like, really nervous.
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What Does “Como Que” Mean?
Como que is a slang phrase meaning “sort of,” “kind of,” or “as if,” used to show doubt or hesitation.
- Como que no tengo ganas. — I sort of don’t feel like it.
- ¿Como que no vienes? — What do you mean you’re not coming?
FAQ’s
What does “como” mean in Spanish slang?
In slang, como works as a filler word (“um/like”), and ¿cómo? means “what?” or “pardon?” when someone didn’t hear you.
What is the difference between “como” and “cómo”?
Como means “like,” “as,” or “I eat,” while cómo (with an accent) means “how” and is used in questions.
Why do people say “¿cómo?” when they don’t understand?
¿Cómo? is the casual equivalent of “what?” in English, used to ask someone to repeat themselves.
What does “como que” mean in slang?
Como que means “sort of” or “as if,” expressing doubt, hesitation, or mild disbelief.
Is “como” used as a filler word like “um”?
Yes, native speakers often insert como repeatedly in casual speech as a verbal pause, just like “like” in English.
Does “como” mean “I eat” in Spanish?
Yes, como is the first-person present tense of the verb comer (to eat), as in yo como — I eat.
How do you pronounce “como” vs “cómo”?
Cómo stresses the first syllable (“KOH-moh”), while como carries a softer, natural stress within the sentence.
I’m Victoria Ellis, founder of GMFUMeaning.com. My goal is to provide clear, reliable meanings and definitions that help readers understand modern language, text abbreviations, and everyday expressions.
