how

how  (hou)

adv.

1. In what manner or way; by what means: How does this machine work?

2. In what state or condition: How is she today?

3. To what extent, amount, or degree: How bad was it?

4. For what reason or purpose; why: How is it that he left early?

5. With what meaning: How should I take that remark?

6. By what name: How is she called?

7. By what measure; in what units: How do you sell this corn?

8. What. Usually used in requesting that something be said again: How's that again?

9. Used as an intensive: How we laughed!

conj.

1. The manner or way in which: forgot how it was done.

2. That.

3. In whatever way or manner; however: Cook it how you please.

n.

A manner or method of doing something: "The how of research is generated by the why of the world" Frederick Turner.

Idioms:

and how Informal

Most certainly; you bet: She's a good dancer, and how!

how about

What is your thought, feeling, or desire regarding: How about a cup of tea? How about that storm last night?

how about that Informal

Used rhetorically to express surprise or wonder at or approval for something.

how come Informal

How is it that; why: How come you're so late?

how so

How is it so: You say the answer is wrong. How so?

---

[Middle English howe, from Old English h; see k^wo- in Indo-European roots.]

---

how

Adverb

1. in what way, by what means: how did you spend the evening?, observing how elderly people coped

2. to what extent: they don't know how tough I am

3. how good, how well, what ... like: how good are the copies?, so that's how things are

4. how about? used to suggest something: how about some tea?

5. how are you? what is your state of health?

6. how's that?

a. what is your opinion?: we'll go out for a late-night supper – how's that?

b. Cricket Also written: (howzat) (an appeal to the umpire) is the batsman out? [Old English hu]

Translations

how [hau] adv → cómo;

how are you? → ¿cómo está usted?, ¿cómo estás?;

how do you do? → encantado, mucho gusto;

how far is it to ...? → ¿qué distancia hay de aquí a ...?;

how long have you been here? → ¿cuánto (tiempo) hace que estás aquí?, ¿cuánto (tiempo) llevas aquí?;

how lovely! → ¡qué bonito!;

how many/much? → ¿cuántos/cuánto?;

how old are you? → ¿cuántos años tienes?;

how is school? → ¿qué tal la escuela?;

how about a drink? → ¿te gustaría algo de beber?, ¿qué te parece una copa?

---

how [hau] adv → comment;

how are you? → comment allez-vous?;

how do you do? → bonjour;

(on being introduced) → enchanté(e);

how far is it to ...? → combien y a-t-il jusqu'à ...?;

how long have you been here? → depuis combien de temps êtes-vous là?;

how lovely/awful! → que or comme c'est joli/affreux!;

how many/much? → combien?;

how much time/many people? → combien de temps/gens?;

how much does it cost? → ça coûte combien?;

how old are you? → quel âge avez-vous?;

how tall is he? → combien mesure-t-il?;

how is school? → ça va à l'école?;

how was the film? → comment était le film?;

how's life? (inf) → comment ça va?;

how about a drink? → si on buvait quelque chose?;

how is it that ...? → comment se fait-il que ... + sub?

---

how [hau] adv 1. (= in what way) → wie;

how was the film? → wie war der Film?;

how is school? → was macht die Schule?;

how are you? → wie geht es Ihnen?

2. (= to what degree);

how much milk? → wie viel Milch?;

how many people? → wie viele Leute?;

how long have you been here? → wie lange sind Sie schon hier?;

how old are you? → wie alt bist du?;

how lovely/awful! → wie schön/furchtbar!

---

how [hau] adv → come;

how are you? → come sta?;

how do you do? → piacere!, molto lieto!;

how far is it to ...? → quanto è lontano ...?;

how long have you been here? → da quanto tempo sta qui?;

how lovely! → che bello!;

how many? → quanti/e?;

how much? → quanto/a?;

how many people/much milk? → quante persone/quanto latte?;

how old are you? → quanti anni ha?;

how's life? (col) → come va (la vita)?;

how about a drink? → che ne diresti di andare a bere qualcosa?;

how is it that ...? → com'è che ...? + sub