Learn Spanish (Latin America): Siempre encontramos el doble de chatarra que de monedas. - We always find twice as much scrap metal as coins.

Siempre encontramos el doble de chatarra que de monedas.

We always find twice as much scrap metal as coins.

Breakdown of Siempre encontramos el doble de chatarra que de monedas.

Questions & Answers about Siempre encontramos el doble de chatarra que de monedas.

Why is there a second de in que de monedas?

When making comparisons between nouns that follow a preposition (here, the de from el doble de), Spanish naturally repeats that preposition after que. It literally translates to finding "double of scrap metal than of coins." This keeps the grammar balanced.

Why do we use que instead of como for "as" in this sentence?

In English, the phrase is "twice as much X as Y." However, Spanish treats el doble (double) like a comparative word similar to más (more) or menos (less). Therefore, it triggers que (than) to connect the two things being compared.

Is chatarra always singular?

Yes, in this context. Chatarra means "scrap metal" or "junk." Just like in English, it is an uncountable noun when referring to the material in bulk, so it stays in the singular form.

Could I say dos veces más instead of el doble de?

You could say dos veces más chatarra que monedas (two times more scrap than coins), but el doble de is the standard, most natural way to say "twice as much." For three times or more, you would switch to using veces (like tres veces más).