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 and is related to the English word connect0, which literally means to bring together0.
con
with (accompaniment)
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)
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
- Pintó la pared con una brocha = He painted the wall with a brush
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
- Trabajan con mucho cuidado = They work with great care
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.
- Siempre es paciente con sus hijos = He is always patient with his children
- La cajera fue muy grosera con nosotros = The cashier was very rude to us (the cashier was very rude with us)
con todo
in spite of everything, despite everything
Literally "with everything," meaning the weight of everything you carry with you. 'Con todo' acknowledges that weight, and says that you keep going anyway.
- Con todo, sigue siendo optimista = In spite of everything, she's still an optimist
- Con todo, lograron terminar el proyecto = Despite everything, they managed to finish the project
con que
as long as, provided that
Sets a condition by saying "with the condition that" something is met.
- Con que estudies un poco, aprobarás = As long as you study a little, you'll pass
- Con que llegues a tiempo, es suficiente = As long as you arrive on time, it’s enough