comme vs. comment

Helena F.B2Kwiziq community member

comme vs. comment

Could the phrase "I admire how he managed to ..." be translated using "comment" rather than "comme"?

Asked 1 year ago
Chris W.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor Correct answer

They are quite different in usage and can't be substituted for each other.

Comme: It is primarily used as an adverb meaning "like" or "as." It is used to draw a comparison or indicate a similarity between two things or actions. For example:

Elle chante comme une professionnelle. -- She sings like a professional.
Il court vite comme un lévrier. -- He runs fast like a greyhound.

 

 

Comment: It is an interrogative adverb meaning "how". It is used to ask questions about the manner, method, or way in which something happens or is done. For example:

Comment allez-vous ? -- How are you?
Comment faire ce gâteau ? -- How to make this cake?

 

 

Maarten K.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

Helena, the ‘ how ‘ in the English original either means ‘ that he … ‘ ( most likely in my view ) or refers to the ‘ way/manner in or by which he … ‘ . 

Personally, I wouldn’t translate either of these meanings by using ‘ comment ‘ or ‘ comme ‘. What was the translation that was indicated as the ‘ most correct ‘ ?

Helena F.B2Kwiziq community member

Maarten,

"How" was translated with "comme", with alternate answers using "la manière dont il ..." and "la façon dont il ...".  So the alternates use your second interpretation (the way/manner in which) where as the "most correct" answer translates "comme" as "that" (your first interpretation).  Both interpretations could be correct depending on the speaker's intent.

comme vs. comment

Could the phrase "I admire how he managed to ..." be translated using "comment" rather than "comme"?

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