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how deep

/haʊ diːp/

Traducción: Frase interrogativa para preguntar por la profundidad (física o metafórica), intensidad o complejidad de algo. Nota: 'how deep' se compone del adverbio 'how' y el adjetivo 'deep'; al usarse con sustantivos como 'depth' o 'water' funciona como una frase determinativa compleja.

1 entrada

determiner

/haʊ diːp/A1formal
  • esFrase interrogativa para preguntar por la profundidad (física o metafórica), intensidad o complejidad de algo. Nota: 'how deep' se compone del adverbio 'how' y el adjetivo 'deep'; al usarse con sustantivos como 'depth' o 'water' funciona como una frase determinativa compleja.

An interrogative phrase used to ask about depth, either physical (vertical distance downward) or metaphorical (intensity, complexity, or profundity). Note: 'How deep' is primarily an interrogative adverbial phrase consisting of 'how' + the adjective 'deep'. When used before nouns like 'depth', 'water', or 'hole', it functions as a complex determiner phrase modifying those nouns. This entry focuses on its determiner-like usage with nominal complements.

  1. Interrogative determiner (physical depth)A1formal

    Used before nouns denoting physical spaces or substances (e.g., 'water', 'hole', 'snow') to ask about measurable vertical distance from surface to bottom.

    escuán profundo

    • How deep a hole should we dig for the fence post?
    • How deep a layer of snow fell last night?
    • How deep a pool is safe for young children?
  2. Interrogative determiner (metaphorical depth/intensity)B1formal

    Used before abstract nouns to ask about the intensity, complexity, seriousness, or profundity of a feeling, thought, situation, or relationship.

    escuán profundo

    • How deep a connection do you feel with this cause?
    • How deep a crisis is the company facing?
    • How deep a understanding is required for this exam?
  3. Adverbial usage (standalone depth inquiry)A1informal

    Used without a following noun to ask about depth directly. The noun is implied by context. (Note: This is the most common adverbial usage, included for completeness).

    escuán profundo / qué profundidad

    • How deep is the ocean here?
    • How deep did you dive?
    • How deep does your knowledge go on this topic?
  4. Indirect question usageB1formal

    Used to introduce a noun clause that reports a question about depth, functioning as the object of verbs like 'know', 'ask', 'wonder'.

    escuán profundo

    • I wonder how deep the cave goes.
    • Do you know how deep their commitment is?
    • Tell me how deep you want to explore this issue.
  5. Exclamatory or emphatic useB2informal

    Used in exclamations or rhetorical questions to emphasize the surprising extent of depth, intensity, or complexity.

    esqué profundo (exclamativo)

    • How deep a wound that betrayal caused!
    • How deep do you think this corruption goes?
    • How deep the roots of this tradition are!