Hay tantas carretillas en este espacio estrecho que el tráfico es imposible.

Questions & Answers about Hay tantas carretillas en este espacio estrecho que el tráfico es imposible.

Why do we use tantas here instead of tan?
We use tantas because it modifies the feminine plural noun carretillas (handcarts). When you want to say "so many [noun] that...", you use a form of tanto that matches the noun's gender and number. You only use tan before adjectives or adverbs, for example: tan estrecho que (so narrow that).
Could I use muchas instead of tantas to say "so many"?
No. Muchas simply means "many" (Hay muchas carretillas = There are many handcarts). To say "so many... that..." to express an extreme amount and its direct consequence, you must use the tanto/a/os/as... que structure.
Why does the sentence use el tráfico when the English translation just says "traffic"?
In Spanish, when you talk about a general concept or an abstract idea as the subject of a sentence, you almost always need to include the definite article (el, la, los, las). English typically drops the article for general nouns, but Spanish requires it.
Is estrecho the only word for "narrow"?
It is a very common one, but you can also use angosto. Both estrecho and angosto mean "narrow" and can be used interchangeably to describe physical spaces like a room, street, or hallway. In fact, angosto is the more popular choice in several Latin American countries.

Learn Hay tantas carretillas en este espacio estrecho que el tráfico es imposible and more in Spanish

All course content and exercises are completely free — no paywalls, no trial periods, no signup needed.

  • Practice with interactive exercises
  • Track your progress with spaced repetition
  • Learn at your own pace — completely free