"like, as (similar to)" in seven languages
Meaninglike, as (similar to)
Spanish
como
/ˈkomo/
inherited
Without the accent of the question word cómo.
French
comme
/kɔm/
inherited
The question 'how?' is comment.
Italian
come
/ˈkome/
inherited
The same word asks 'how?': come stai?
Portuguese
como
/ˈkomu/
inherited
Romanian
ca
/ka/
other source · Latin QUAM 'as, than'
The same ca means 'than'. Precum is a more formal 'as'.
Catalan
com
/kɔm/
inherited
English
like
/laɪk/
native English · Old English gelīc 'of the same shape'
English → Italianlike, as (similar to)comeNot relatedDifferent sources — learn this one fresh.What English and Italian share
The Latin ancestor
QUŌMODO‘in what way’
All six sisters descend from it, unless marked otherwise below.
The story
QUŌMODO 'in what way' gave both 'how?' and 'like, as'. Italian uses one word for both; Spanish tells them apart with an accent (cómo / como), French with a suffix (comment / comme).
Learn it
In a sentence
- esCanta como un ángel.
- frIl chante comme un ange.
- itCanta come un angelo.
- ptEle canta como um anjo.
- roCântă ca un înger.
- caCanta com un àngel.
- enHe sings like an angel.