Mi hermano sabe cómo hablar con calma.

My brother knows how to speak calmly.

Breakdown of Mi hermano sabe cómo hablar con calma.

• hablar: to speak
• con: with
• mi: my
• el hermano: the brother
• saber: to know
• cómo: how

Questions & Answers about Mi hermano sabe cómo hablar con calma.

Why is cómo used here instead of just saying Mi hermano sabe hablar con calma?

Using sabe cómo emphasizes the way or method of speaking calmly. In many contexts, Mi hermano sabe hablar con calma can convey a similar meaning. However, sabe cómo hablar more directly points to having the knowledge or technique for speaking calmly, rather than just the ability.

What does con calma literally mean, and could I say calmamente instead?

Con calma literally translates to “with calm” and is a common set phrase in Spanish for doing things in a calm or relaxed manner. While calmamente technically exists, it’s not used as frequently in everyday speech. Con calma sounds more natural and idiomatic.

Is there a difference between sabe cómo hablar con calma and puede hablar con calma?

Yes. Sabe cómo hablar con calma focuses on knowledge or technique—he knows the method. Puede hablar con calma indicates ability—he is able or has the capacity to do so.

Why is mi hermano used without additional pronouns in Spanish, unlike in English?

In Spanish, personal pronouns (like él) can be optional since the verb forms already indicate who the subject is. In this sentence, Mi hermano uniquely identifies the subject, so there’s no need to repeat él sabe unless you want to emphasize he, which is not common in a neutral statement.