The use of the orthographic accent on Spanish words such as qué (what), cómo (how), and cuánto/s (how much/many) usually indicates that those words are part of an interrogative or exclamatory sentence. The following examples review how to use qué, cómo, and cuánto as exclamatory words.
Qué can be used right in front of nouns, adverbs, and adjectives. It means "how" or "what a." In our newest episode of Muñeca Brava, Mili uses qué with an adjective when she talks about the Christmas party:
¿Viste todos los regalos? ¡Qué linda! -Sí, estuvo estupenda.
Did you see all the presents? How lovely! -Yes, it was great.
Caption 2, Muñeca Brava - 30 Revelaciones
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Qué can also be combined with an adverb to express surprise about the way an action was done:
¡Qué bueno he sido pa' ti Y qué mal te estás portando!
How good I've been for you And how badly you're behaving!
Captions 17-18, 75 minutos - Del campo a la mesa
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Qué can also be placed in front of a noun:
¡Ay, qué espanto! ¡Y pensar que el hombre ese estaba en mi cama!
What a scare! And to think that man was in my bed!
Caption 4, Muñeca Brava - 18 - La Apuesta
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Cuánto (how much) can be used in front of nouns and verbs. When used with a noun, this exclamatory word must agree in gender and number:
¡Cuántos frijoles hubiéramos hecho!
How many beans we would have produced!
Caption 28, Con ánimo de lucro - Cortometraje
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When cuánto is accompanied by a verb, we always use the masculine, singular form. If a direct object pronoun is required, we must place it between the two words:
¡Ay, no sabes cuánto lo lamento!
Oh, you don't know how much I regret it!
Caption 17, Muñeca Brava - 7 El poema
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Finally, the exclamatory cómo is used in front of verbs. This example requires the use of a reflexive pronoun (me), which is also placed between the two words:
¡Guau, cómo me gustan esos hobbies!
Wow, how I like those hobbies!
Caption 38, Karla e Isabel - Nuestros hobbies
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We hope you have enjoyed this brief review on exclamatory words.
El papel principal del gobierno es promover el desarrollo... y mejorar el nivel de vida.
The main role of the government is to promote development... and improve the standard of living.
Captions 21-22, Con ánimo de lucro - Cortometraje - Part 3
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Most of us know that papel is "paper," not only do they sound alike but if you've ever taken Spanish class no doubt your teacher has often asked you to take out una hoja de papel, "a sheet of paper."
However, papel is also "role" (as in "the role of technology in education"). So, in the phrase above we have:
"The main role of the government is to promote development..."
El papel de la ONG ha sido un papel auxiliador.
The role of NGO has been an assisting role.
Caption 29, Con ánimo de lucro - Cortometraje - Part 3
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Note: Organización No Gubernamental (ONG), Non-Governmental Organization (NGO)
In this final clip we have Carlos explaining some of the functions that the myth of Bachué played in Muisca society.
Que además resalta el papel que la mujer tenía en la sociedad muisca
Which also highlights the role that women had in Muisca society
como la encargada de transmitir las tradiciones y valores de la cultura.
as the ones in charge of transmitting traditions and cultural values.
Captions 57-59, Aprendiendo con Carlos - América precolombina - El mito de Bachué
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