con
with
A versatile preposition built around the core idea of "with" or "together"
Encoding Strategies:
linguistic
repetition
connect
to bring together
Con means with — the core idea is one thing accompanying another. It's the same as the start of connect0, which literally means to bring together with0.
con
with (accompaniment)
The most direct use of con: one person or thing is together with another.
- Voy a cenar con mis padres = I'm going to have dinner with my parents
- Pollo con arroz = Chicken with rice
with (instrument)
Just as in English, when you do something with a tool or instrument, the tool is accompanying you as you act.
- Corta el pan con un cuchillo = Cut the bread with a knife
with (manner)
When you do something in a particular way, that manner or style is "with" you as you do it.
- Habla con mucha confianza = He speaks with a lot of confidence
to (attitude toward)
When you have an attitude toward someone, that attitude is "with" you in their presence. English actually does this too — you can be patient with, gentle with, or honest with someone.
- La cajera fue muy grosera con nosotros = The cashier was very rude to us
con todo
in spite of everything, despite everything
Literally "with everything," here meaning the weight of everything you carry with you. Con todo acknowledges that weight, and says you keep going anyway.
- Con todo, sigue siendo optimista = In spite of everything, she's still an optimist
con que
as long as, provided that
Sets a condition — "with the condition that" something is met.
- Con que estudies un poco, aprobarás = As long as you study a little, you'll pass