Tan and tanto

Let's talk about these two, shall we?

Tan

Tan is used before an adjective, that is, a quality (like sturdy) or a state (like broken).

Ex: ¡Ese niño es tan fuerte! - that kid is so strong!

Ex: ¡Esta habitación es tan limpia! - this room is so clean!

Tan never changes, it doesn't agree with the word it precede.

It can go before poco (little,few), being this one agreeing with the noun (pocos,pocas,poca) or not.

Ex: ¡Tienen tan poco! - They have so little!

Ex: ¡Hay tan pocos libros aquí! - There are so few books here!

Tanto/a/os/as

The word tanto means "so much" or "so many".

It goes before a noun (object, concept or person).

Because it gives us some information about a noun, it agrees with it in gender and number:

Tanto - masculine singular

Tanta - feminine singular

Tantos - masculine plural

Tantas - feminine plural

Ex: ¡Tenemos tantos sueños! - We have so many dreams!

Tanto

Sometimes tanto doesn't change in gender and number and it doesn't tell us about quantity necessarily but about frequency or intensity of an action.

It means "so much", most times, but also "so", and it usually goes right after the verb:

Ex: ¡No corras tanto! - Don't run so much!

Ex: ¡Se preocupa tanto! - She worries so much!

Practice

Fill in the gaps with:

tanto, tantos, tanta, tantas or tan

1. ¡Tenemos ____ platos que limpiar!
   
   We have __ plates to clean!

2. Tu madre era _generosa
   
   Your mother was _ generous.

3. ¡Van ____ niños a esta excursión!
   
   __ kids go to this trip!

4. ¡Me alegré ______!
   
   I got _ happy!

5. ¡He olvidado _____ cosas!
   
   I have forgotten ____ things!

tantos/tan/tantos/tanto/tantas

Have a great day! :)