Cette page dans ta langue

English

فارسی

العربية

Deutsch

Español

日本語

한국어

Português

中文

हिन्दी

A1 Pronombre interrogativo/exclamativo #14 le plus courant 12 min de lecture

¿qué

Top 14

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces ¿qué en 30 secondes

Explication ¿qué in your Level:

At the A1 level, the word ¿qué is primarily used for basic identification and survival. Students learn it in the context of asking for names of objects ('¿Qué es esto?') and simple personal inquiries ('¿Qué tal?'). The focus is on direct questions where 'qué' is the very first word. Learners are taught that it translates to 'what' and that it must have an accent mark when used in a question. They also encounter it in basic exclamations like '¡Qué bien!' to express positive feedback. The grammatical complexity is kept low, usually following the pattern 'Qué + verb' or 'Qué + noun'. At this stage, the distinction between 'qué' and 'cuál' is introduced but not yet fully mastered, with the general rule being 'use qué for definitions'. Visual cues like the upside-down question mark are emphasized to help students recognize the interrogative structure immediately. Vocabulary lists at this level often include common phrases like '¿Qué hora es?' and '¿Qué significa...?', which are essential for classroom participation and daily interactions.

In the A2 level, learners expand their use of ¿qué to include more varied social and practical situations. They begin to use it with a wider range of verbs in different tenses, such as the past tense ('¿Qué hiciste ayer?') and the future ('¿Qué vas a hacer?'). The use of 'qué' as a determiner before nouns becomes more frequent ('¿Qué música te gusta?', '¿Qué película prefieres?'). Learners also start to use prepositions with 'qué', such as '¿De qué...?' or '¿Con qué...?', allowing for more detailed questions. The exclamative use is broadened to include more complex emotions ('¡Qué pena!', '¡Qué lástima!'). At this stage, students are expected to be more consistent with the written accent mark and the opening punctuation. They also begin to understand the difference between '¿Qué es...?' (definition) and '¿Cómo es...?' (description) more clearly. The focus shifts from simple identification to describing routines, preferences, and past experiences using 'qué' as a primary tool for inquiry.

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour lire l'explication complète

At the B1 level, the use of ¿qué becomes more sophisticated, particularly with the introduction of indirect questions. Learners are taught to use 'qué' within larger sentences without question marks ('No sé qué decir', 'Me pregunto qué habrá pasado'). This requires a deeper understanding of the word's interrogative force. The B1 level also explores more idiomatic expressions and fixed phrases like '¿Qué más da?' (What does it matter?) or '¿Qué sé yo?' (How should I know?). Learners are expected to handle the 'qué' vs 'cuál' distinction with much higher accuracy, especially in contexts where both might seem plausible in English. They also begin to use 'qué' in the subjunctive mood in certain structures, although this is more common with the relative pronoun 'que'. The focus at B1 is on using 'qué' to express opinions, doubts, and hypotheses, moving beyond purely factual information gathering into the realm of abstract thought and conversation management.

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour lire l'explication complète

By the B2 level, learners use ¿qué with a high degree of naturalness and precision. They can navigate complex structures involving multiple clauses and varied tenses. The use of 'qué' in exclamations becomes more nuanced, often incorporating 'tan' or 'más' for emphasis ('¡Qué idea tan brillante!'). B2 students are also more aware of regional variations in the use of 'qué' and its alternatives. They can use 'qué' to challenge ideas or ask for deep clarification in debates ('¿Qué quieres decir exactamente con eso?'). The distinction between 'por qué', 'porque', 'porqué', and 'por que' is a major focus at this level, as it is essential for advanced writing and reading comprehension. Learners also become proficient in using 'qué' in rhetorical questions to add stylistic flair to their speech. The emphasis is on achieving a native-like flow, where the choice of 'qué' feels instinctive rather than calculated.

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour lire l'explication complète

At the C1 level, the learner's command of ¿qué is near-native. They can appreciate and use it in literary and formal contexts where the word might carry specific rhetorical weight. C1 students understand the subtle differences in tone that 'qué' can convey—from a sharp, inquisitive '¿Qué?' to a soft, empathetic '¿Qué te ocurre?'. They are comfortable with archaic or highly formal uses found in classical literature or legal documents. The use of 'qué' in complex idiomatic expressions is second nature ('¿A qué viene eso?', '¡Qué va!'). They can also analyze the use of 'qué' in poetry or song lyrics, where word order might be inverted for meter or rhyme. At this level, the learner is not just using the word correctly but is also aware of its history and its role in the structure of the Spanish language. They can explain the grammatical rules to others and are sensitive to the nuances of punctuation and accentuation in all forms of writing.

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour lire l'explication complète

At the C2 level, mastery of ¿qué is absolute. The learner uses it with the same flexibility and creativity as a highly educated native speaker. They can employ 'qué' in sophisticated wordplay, puns, and double entendres. In academic or professional writing, they use 'qué' to structure complex arguments and pose profound inquiries. They are fully aware of the most obscure grammatical rules and exceptions involving the word. For a C2 learner, 'qué' is not just a vocabulary item but a versatile tool for expression that can be adapted to any register, from the most informal slang to the most elevated discourse. They can identify and mimic regional dialects where the pronunciation or usage of 'qué' might vary. Their understanding of the word is integrated into a deep cultural and linguistic knowledge of the Spanish-speaking world, allowing them to use it with perfect timing and cultural appropriateness in any situation.

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour lire l'explication complète

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

¿qué en 30 secondes

Used to ask 'what' in direct and indirect questions in Spanish.
Functions as an exclamative to mean 'how' or 'what a' in sentences.
Always requires a written accent (tilde) on the 'e' when interrogative.
Commonly confused with 'cuál', but 'qué' is used for definitions and before nouns.

The word ¿qué is the cornerstone of Spanish inquiry. At its most fundamental level, it translates to "what" in English, but its utility extends far beyond a simple translation. In Spanish, the interrogative form is distinguished by a written accent mark (tilde) on the 'e', which separates it from the relative pronoun or conjunction 'que'. This distinction is vital for both written clarity and phonetic emphasis. When you use ¿qué, you are usually seeking information about an object, an action, a definition, or a situation. It is the first word many learners master because it allows them to navigate the world by asking for names of things or clarification of events.

Interrogative Function: Used to ask direct or indirect questions about things or actions. For example, '¿Qué haces?' (What are you doing?).

¿Sabes qué hora es en este momento?

Beyond questions, it serves as an exclamative pronoun, adding emphasis to adjectives or nouns to express surprise, admiration, or frustration. When you say '¡Qué calor!', you aren't asking about the heat; you are emphasizing how intense it is. This dual nature makes it one of the most frequently used words in the Spanish language. In daily conversation, you will hear it in shops ('¿Qué desea?'), in social gatherings ('¿Qué tal?'), and in classrooms ('¿Qué significa esta palabra?'). Its versatility is unmatched. It can function as a pronoun, standing alone to represent the thing being asked about, or as a determiner, preceding a noun to specify which thing is being discussed.

Exclamative Function: Used to express strong emotion or emphasis. For example, '¡Qué lástima!' (What a pity!).

¡Qué alegría verte después de tanto tiempo!

Understanding the context of ¿qué is essential because it often competes with 'cuál' (which). While 'qué' asks for a definition or an open-ended identification, 'cuál' is used when choosing from a group or asking for specific identity. Mastering this distinction is a hallmark of moving from a beginner to an intermediate speaker.

¿Qué es la libertad para ti?

Grammar Tip: The accent mark on 'qué' is called a 'tilde diacrítica'. It doesn't change the sound, but it changes the meaning from 'that' to 'what'.

No entiendo qué quieres decir con eso.

¿Qué libro estás leyendo ahora?

In summary, ¿qué is the Swiss Army knife of Spanish vocabulary, essential for asking, exclaiming, and clarifying in every possible social context.

Using ¿qué correctly requires understanding its position and the words that follow it. The most common structure is placing it at the very beginning of a sentence to form a direct question. When followed by a verb, it asks about an action or the nature of an object. For example, '¿Qué pasa?' (What is happening?). Here, the focus is on the event itself. When followed by a noun, it acts as a determiner, asking for a specific type of thing: '¿Qué música prefieres?' (What music do you prefer?). This is a crucial pattern because, unlike English where we might say 'Which music', Spanish often prefers 'qué' when the noun follows immediately.

Qué + Verb: Used to ask about actions or definitions. Example: '¿Qué quieres?' (What do you want?).

¿Qué piensas de la nueva película?

Another common usage is in indirect questions. These are sentences that aren't formatted as questions but contain an inquiry within them. Even though there are no question marks, the 'qué' still requires an accent. For instance, 'Dime qué compraste' (Tell me what you bought). The accent signals that the speaker is referring to the unknown object of the purchase.

Qué + Noun: Used to specify a category. Example: '¿Qué película vamos a ver?' (What movie are we going to see?).

No sé qué camino debemos tomar.

In exclamations, the structure changes slightly. '¡Qué!' can be followed by an adjective to mean 'How [adjective]!'. For example, '¡Qué inteligente!' (How intelligent!). It can also be followed by a noun, often with an adjective after the noun, to mean 'What a [noun]!'. For example, '¡Qué día tan bonito!' (What a beautiful day!). Notice that in the noun construction, we often add 'tan' or 'más' before the adjective to increase the emphasis.

Exclamative Structure: ¡Qué + Adjective! or ¡Qué + Noun + (tan/más) + Adjective!. Example: '¡Qué coche más rápido!' (What a fast car!).

¡Qué bien hablas español!

Prepositions also frequently precede ¿qué. Phrases like '¿De qué...?' (About what?), '¿Con qué...?' (With what?), and '¿Para qué...?' (For what purpose?) are essential for detailed communication. The preposition always comes before the opening question mark in written Spanish, but the 'qué' remains accented.

¿A qué te dedicas profesionalmente?

¿Para qué sirve este botón rojo?

Understanding these patterns allows you to build complex and accurate sentences that sound natural to native speakers. Whether you are asking for a coffee or expressing awe at a sunset, the structures remain consistent.

You will hear ¿qué everywhere, from the moment you wake up in a Spanish-speaking household to the time you leave a late-night dinner. In the morning, a common greeting is '¿Qué tal?', which functions as 'How's it going?' or 'What's up?'. Even though 'qué' literally means 'what', in this fixed expression, it serves as a general inquiry into one's well-being. In a professional environment, you'll hear it during meetings: '¿Qué opinas sobre el proyecto?' (What do you think about the project?). It is the standard way to solicit opinions and feedback.

Social Context: Used in greetings and informal check-ins. Example: '¿Qué hay de nuevo?' (What's new?).

¿Qué onda, mano? ¿Cómo va todo?

In the marketplace or a restaurant, ¿qué is the tool of the trade. A waiter will ask, '¿Qué van a tomar?' (What are you going to drink?), and a customer might ask, '¿Qué lleva este plato?' (What is in this dish?). It facilitates the exchange of essential information in service industries. On the streets, if someone didn't hear you, they might simply say '¿Qué?' or the more polite '¿Cómo?'. While '¿Qué?' can sometimes sound abrupt or even rude depending on the tone, it is extremely common in informal settings.

Service Industry: Used to ask for orders or clarify ingredients. Example: '¿Qué me recomienda hoy?' (What do you recommend today?).

¿Qué precio tiene este bolso de cuero?

You'll also hear it in the world of entertainment and media. News headlines often start with '¿Qué pasó en...?' (What happened in...?). In movies, characters use it to express disbelief: '¿Qué dices?' (What are you saying? / You've got to be kidding!). The emotional range of the word is vast. It can be a cold request for data or a warm expression of empathy, such as '¿Qué te pasa?' (What's wrong with you? / What's the matter?).

¡Qué susto me has dado, no te oí entrar!

¿Qué se le ofrece al caballero?

Finally, in literature and songwriting, ¿qué is used to pose rhetorical or philosophical questions. '¿Qué es la vida?' (What is life?) is a classic trope. Whether in the most mundane transaction or the deepest philosophical debate, this word is the gateway to understanding the Spanish-speaking world.

The most frequent mistake for English speakers is confusing ¿qué with 'cuál'. In English, we often use 'which' and 'what' interchangeably, but Spanish is more rigid. Use 'qué' when you want a definition or when the word is followed immediately by a noun. Use 'cuál' when you are choosing from a limited set or when the word is followed by 'es' (unless you are asking for a definition). For example, '¿Qué es esto?' (What is this? - asking for a definition) vs '¿Cuál es tu favorito?' (Which is your favorite? - choosing from a group).

Qué vs Cuál: Mistake: '¿Cuál libro quieres?' Correct: '¿Qué libro quieres?'. Rule: Use 'qué' before nouns.

¿Qué color prefieres para las paredes?

Another common error is forgetting the accent mark in writing. Without the accent, 'que' means 'that' or 'than'. For example, 'Espero que vengas' (I hope that you come) uses the relative pronoun. '¿Qué quieres?' (What do you want?) uses the interrogative. In digital communication like WhatsApp, many native speakers omit the accent for speed, but in formal writing or for a learner, it is essential for clarity.

Missing Accents: Mistake: 'No se que hacer.' Correct: 'No sé qué hacer.' The 'qué' is part of an indirect question.

¿Qué tan lejos está la estación de tren?

English speakers also tend to forget the opening question mark (¿). Spanish is unique in using this punctuation, and it helps the reader know immediately that the sentence is a question, allowing for the correct intonation from the very first word. Omitting it is a sign of non-native writing.

¡Qué maravilla de paisaje tenemos aquí!

Lastly, be careful with the phrase '¿Qué es...?' vs '¿Cómo es...?'. If you ask '¿Qué es tu hermano?', you are asking for his definition (e.g., he is a human). If you want to know what he is like (personality/appearance), you must use '¿Cómo es tu hermano?'. Confusing these leads to very different answers than what was intended.

Definition vs Description: Use 'qué' for 'what is it (definition)' and 'cómo' for 'what is it like (description)'.

¿Qué significa esta señal de tráfico?

¿Qué tipo de música te gusta escuchar?

Avoiding these pitfalls will significantly improve your fluency and make your Spanish sound much more authentic and precise.

While ¿qué is the most common way to say 'what', there are several other words that cover similar ground or act as alternatives in specific contexts. The most important one to distinguish is 'cuál'. As discussed, 'cuál' is used for selection and identity. Another related word is 'cómo'. While 'cómo' usually means 'how', in some regions, it is used as a polite way to say 'what?' when you didn't hear someone. In Mexico, 'mande' is the culturally specific way to respond when someone calls your name or when you need them to repeat something.

Qué vs Cuál: 'Qué' asks for a definition or a noun category. 'Cuál' asks for a choice from a set or a specific identity (name, phone number).

¿Qué prefieres: té o café?

In exclamations, 'cuánto' can sometimes overlap with 'qué'. While '¡Qué frío!' means 'How cold!', '¡Cuánto frío!' means 'So much cold!'. The first emphasizes the quality, while the second emphasizes the quantity. Similarly, 'lo que' is a relative pronoun meaning 'what' or 'that which' in non-question sentences. 'No entiendo lo que dices' (I don't understand what you are saying). Notice that 'lo que' does not have an accent on 'que' because it is not interrogative.

Qué vs Lo que: 'Qué' is for questions (direct/indirect). 'Lo que' is for statements meaning 'the thing that'.

Dime qué quieres y te daré lo que pidas.

There are also compound forms like 'por qué' (why), which literally means 'for what (reason)'. It is essential to distinguish 'por qué' (question), 'porque' (because), 'porqué' (the reason), and 'por que' (for which). These four forms are a common source of confusion even for native speakers.

Interrogative Adverbs: Words like 'cuándo' (when), 'dónde' (where), and 'quién' (who) follow the same accentuation rules as 'qué'.

¿Por qué no me dijiste la verdad desde el principio?

¿Qué más da lo que piensen los demás?

Understanding these alternatives helps you choose the most precise word for your intended meaning, ensuring that your Spanish is not only correct but also nuanced and sophisticated.

How Formal Is It?

Le savais-tu ?

The accent mark on 'qué' was not always standard; it was formalized by the Real Academia Española to distinguish it from the unstressed conjunction 'que'.

Guide de prononciation

UK /keɪ/

US /keɪ/

The stress is on the only vowel 'e', which is why it carries an accent mark in questions.

Rime avec

fe té pie café bebé puré olé iré

Erreurs fréquentes

Pronouncing the 'u' (it should be silent).
Making the 'e' sound too much like 'ee' (as in 'keep').
Adding a 'y' sound at the end like the English 'kay'.
Failing to emphasize the word in a question.
Confusing the pronunciation with 'que' (though they sound identical, the context changes the prosody).

Niveau de difficulté

Lecture 1/5

Very easy to recognize, though the accent is crucial for meaning.

Écriture 2/5

The accent and opening question mark are often forgotten by learners.

Expression orale 1/5

Simple pronunciation, but intonation is important.

Écoute 2/5

Can be confused with 'que' if the context is not clear.

Quoi apprendre ensuite

Prérequis

es está tú yo esto

Apprends ensuite

cuál quién dónde cómo cuándo

Avancé

porqué lo que cuyo el cual quienquiera

Grammaire à connaître

Diacritic Accents

'Qué' (question) vs 'que' (conjunction).

Inverted Punctuation

¿Qué hora es? (Must start with ¿).

Interrogative Pronouns as Determiners

¿Qué libro prefieres? (Qué + noun).

Exclamative Sentences

¡Qué alegría! (Must start with ¡).

Indirect Questions

No sé qué hora es. (Accent remains).

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour lire l'explication complète

Exemples par niveau

¿Qué es esto?

What is this?

Basic 'Qué + verb' structure for identification.

¿Qué tal estás?

How are you?

Fixed expression for greeting.

¿Qué hora es?

What time is it?

Common question using 'qué' with a noun.

¡Qué bien!

How great!

Exclamative use with an adverb.

¿Qué quieres comer?

What do you want to eat?

Using 'qué' to ask about preferences.

¿Qué significa 'hola'?

What does 'hola' mean?

Essential classroom question for definitions.

¡Qué calor!

How hot!

Exclamative use with a noun to express feeling.

¿Qué música te gusta?

What music do you like?

'Qué' acting as a determiner before a noun.

¿Qué hiciste el fin de semana?

What did you do over the weekend?

Using 'qué' with the preterite tense.

¿Qué vas a comprar en el mercado?

What are you going to buy at the market?

Using 'qué' with the 'ir a + infinitive' future structure.

¿De qué color es tu coche?

What color is your car?

Preposition 'de' used before 'qué'.

¡Qué película más divertida!

What a funny movie!

Exclamative structure: Qué + noun + más + adjective.

¿Qué tiempo hace hoy?

What is the weather like today?

Standard phrase for asking about weather.

No sé qué decirte.

I don't know what to tell you.

Indirect question requiring an accent on 'qué'.

¿Qué tipo de comida prefieres?

What type of food do you prefer?

'Qué' followed by 'tipo de' to specify a category.

¡Qué lástima que no puedas venir!

What a pity that you can't come!

Exclamative phrase expressing regret.

¿Qué me recomiendas para cenar?

What do you recommend for me to have for dinner?

Using 'qué' with indirect object pronouns.

Dime qué piensas de mi idea.

Tell me what you think of my idea.

Indirect question in the imperative mood.

¿Qué pasaría si no llegamos a tiempo?

What would happen if we don't arrive on time?

Using 'qué' with the conditional tense.

¡Qué sorpresa encontrarte aquí!

What a surprise to find you here!

Exclamative use expressing unexpected joy.

¿Qué hay de nuevo en tu vida?

What's new in your life?

Idiomatic way to ask for updates.

No entiendo qué quieres decir con eso.

I don't understand what you mean by that.

Indirect question focusing on meaning.

¿Qué planes tienes para el verano?

What plans do you have for the summer?

Asking about future intentions.

¡Qué bien que hayas venido!

How great that you have come!

Exclamative followed by a subordinate clause in the subjunctive.

¿Qué importancia tiene este descubrimiento?

What importance does this discovery have?

Asking about abstract qualities.

Me pregunto qué habrá sido de él.

I wonder what has become of him.

Indirect question with the future perfect for speculation.

¡Qué barbaridad lo que ha pasado!

How outrageous what has happened!

Exclamative expression for shock or outrage.

¿Qué más da lo que piensen los vecinos?

What does it matter what the neighbors think?

Idiomatic expression '¿Qué más da?'.

¿A qué se debe su visita, señor?

To what do we owe your visit, sir?

Formal inquiry using a preposition.

No sé qué hubiera hecho sin tu ayuda.

I don't know what I would have done without your help.

Indirect question with the pluperfect subjunctive.

¡Qué casualidad encontrarnos aquí!

What a coincidence to meet here!

Exclamative expressing coincidence.

¿Qué sentido tiene seguir intentándolo?

What sense does it make to keep trying?

Rhetorical question about purpose.

¿Qué implicaciones éticas conlleva esta decisión?

What ethical implications does this decision entail?

Advanced inquiry into abstract concepts.

¡Qué de cosas han cambiado desde entonces!

How many things have changed since then!

Colloquial exclamative '¡Qué de...!' meaning 'How many/much'.

¿Qué me dices? ¡No me lo puedo creer!

What are you telling me? I can't believe it!

Idiomatic use to express disbelief.

No comprendo a qué viene tanto revuelo.

I don't understand what all the fuss is about.

Idiomatic expression '¿A qué viene...?'.

¿Qué es la vida sino un frenesí?

What is life but a frenzy?

Literary/Philosophical rhetorical question.

¡Qué poco me conoces si piensas eso!

How little you know me if you think that!

Exclamative using 'poco' for emphasis.

¿Qué remedio nos queda sino aceptar la derrota?

What remedy is left for us but to accept defeat?

Formal rhetorical structure.

Dime qué de cierto hay en esos rumores.

Tell me how much truth there is in those rumors.

Indirect question with 'qué de cierto'.

¿Qué ha de ser de nosotros en este mundo incierto?

What is to become of us in this uncertain world?

Elevated, poetic use of 'haber de' with 'qué'.

¡Qué si quieres arroz, Catalina!

It's like talking to a brick wall!

Obscure idiomatic expression for someone not paying attention.

¿Qué trasfondo subyace tras sus palabras?

What background underlies his words?

Highly formal academic inquiry.

¡Qué desparpajo tiene esa muchacha al hablar!

What self-confidence that girl has when speaking!

Exclamative using sophisticated vocabulary.

¿Qué importa el cómo si el fin es noble?

What does the 'how' matter if the end is noble?

Philosophical inquiry into means and ends.

¡Qué sé yo de sus oscuras intenciones!

How should I know about his dark intentions!

Rhetorical exclamation expressing ignorance.

¿Qué de nuevo puede aportarnos esta teoría?

What new thing can this theory contribute to us?

Formal structure 'qué de nuevo'.

¡Qué no daría yo por volver a verte!

What wouldn't I give to see you again!

Exclamative structure expressing deep desire.

Collocations courantes

¿Qué tal?

¿Qué pasa?

¿Qué hora es?

¿Qué significa?

¿Qué quieres?

¡Qué bien!

¿Qué haces?

¿Qué buscas?

¡Qué lástima!

¿Qué opinas?

Phrases Courantes

¿Qué más?

— Used in some regions as 'What else?' or 'How's it going?'. It is a versatile conversational filler.

Hola amigo, ¿qué más? ¿Cómo va todo?

¿Qué sé yo?

— An expression of ignorance or uncertainty. It translates to 'How should I know?'.

Me preguntas por él, pero ¿qué sé yo de su vida?

¿Qué hay?

— An informal greeting similar to 'What's up?' or 'What's there?'.

Hola a todos, ¿qué hay de nuevo?

¿Qué te parece?

— Used to ask for someone's opinion or reaction to something.

He comprado este vestido, ¿qué te parece?

¿A qué hora?

— Used to ask for the specific time an event will occur.

¿A qué hora empieza la película?

¿Qué tal si...?

— Used to make a suggestion or proposal. Equivalent to 'What if...?' or 'How about...?'.

¿Qué tal si vamos al cine esta noche?

¿Qué onda?

— A very common slang greeting in Mexico and other parts of Latin America.

¿Qué onda, buey? ¿Todo bien?

¿Qué remedio?

— Used to express that there is no other choice. Equivalent to 'What else can be done?'.

Tenemos que trabajar el domingo, ¿qué remedio?

¡Qué va!

— A strong expression of disagreement or disbelief. Equivalent to 'No way!' or 'Nonsense!'.

—¿Estás cansado? —¡Qué va! Estoy lleno de energía.

¿Qué buscas?

— Used to ask what someone is looking for or what their intentions are.

¿Qué buscas con esa actitud tan agresiva?

Souvent confondu avec

¿qué vs que

The unaccented version is a conjunction or relative pronoun (e.g., 'the book that I read').

¿qué vs cuál

Used for choosing from a set. 'Qué' is for definitions or before nouns.

¿qué vs cómo

Means 'how', but used as 'what?' in some polite contexts.

Expressions idiomatiques

"¿Qué más da?"

— Used to express that something is not important or doesn't matter.

Ya es tarde, ¿qué más da llegar cinco minutos después?

informal

"¡Qué sé yo!"

— Used to emphasize that the speaker has no idea about something.

Me preguntan por el examen, ¡qué sé yo si no estudié!

informal

"¿Qué mosca te ha picado?"

— Used to ask why someone is suddenly in a bad mood or acting strangely.

Estás muy borde hoy, ¿qué mosca te ha picado?

informal

"¡Qué fuerte!"

— Used to express shock, surprise, or that something is impressive or scandalous.

¿Se han divorciado? ¡Qué fuerte!

slang

"¿A qué viene eso?"

— Used to ask for the reason or relevance of a comment or action.

Estamos hablando de fútbol, ¿a qué viene ese comentario sobre política?

neutral

"¡Qué mala pata!"

— Used to express that someone has had bad luck.

He perdido las llaves, ¡qué mala pata!

informal

"¿Qué tiene que ver?"

— Used to question the connection between two things.

Soy joven, pero ¿qué tiene que ver eso con mi experiencia?

neutral

"¡Qué remedio!"

— Used when accepting an unpleasant situation because there is no alternative.

Hay que limpiar la casa, ¡qué remedio!

neutral

"¿Qué pinto yo aquí?"

— Used to express that one feels out of place or irrelevant in a situation.

Todos son médicos y yo no, ¿qué pinto yo aquí?

informal

"¡Qué tontería!"

— Used to dismiss an idea or statement as foolish or unimportant.

¡Qué tontería! No creas todo lo que dicen.

neutral

Facile à confondre

¿qué vs por qué

Sounds similar to 'porque'.

'Por qué' is the question 'why', while 'porque' is the answer 'because'.

¿Por qué lloras? Porque estoy triste.

¿qué vs cuál

Both can translate to 'what' in English.

Use 'qué' for definitions or before nouns. Use 'cuál' for choices or before 'es' (non-definitions).

¿Qué libro quieres? ¿Cuál es tu nombre?

¿qué vs lo que

Both translate to 'what' in English.

'Qué' is for questions. 'Lo que' is for statements meaning 'the thing that'.

No sé qué quieres. Dame lo que tienes.

¿qué vs cómo

Both can be used when someone didn't hear a statement.

'Qué' is direct and can be rude. 'Cómo' is more polite.

¿Cómo? No te oí.

¿qué vs quién

Used to ask about identity.

'Qué' asks about things/actions. 'Quién' asks about people.

¿Qué es eso? ¿Quién es ella?

Structures de phrases

¿Qué es [objeto]?

¿Qué es esto?

¡Qué [adjetivo]!

¡Qué bonito!

¿Qué [sustantivo] [verbo]?

¿Qué música escuchas?

No sé qué [verbo].

No sé qué hacer.

¿Qué tal si [subjuntivo/indicativo]?

¿Qué tal si vamos al parque?

¿A qué viene [sustantivo]?

¿A qué viene ese ruido?

¡Qué de [sustantivo]!

¡Qué de gente hay aquí!

¿Qué ha de ser de [persona]?

¿Qué ha de ser de nosotros?

Famille de mots

Apparenté

que

por qué

porque

porqué

por que

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour voir tous les exemples

Comment l'utiliser

frequency

Extremely high; it is one of the top 50 most used words in Spanish.

Erreurs courantes

Using 'cuál' before a noun. → ¿Qué libro prefieres?
In Spanish, 'qué' is used as a determiner before nouns, even if you are choosing between options.
Forgetting the accent mark in questions. → ¿Qué quieres?
The interrogative 'qué' always requires a tilde to distinguish it from the relative pronoun 'que'.
Using 'qué' for descriptions of people. → ¿Cómo es tu hermano?
'¿Qué es tu hermano?' asks for his definition (e.g., a human). '¿Cómo es?' asks for his personality or appearance.
Omitting the opening question mark. → ¿Qué hora es?
Spanish requires both the opening (¿) and closing (?) marks for all direct questions.
Confusing 'por qué' and 'porque'. → ¿Por qué no vienes? Porque estoy cansado.
'Por qué' is for the question, 'porque' is for the reason/answer.

Astuces

The Tilde Rule

Always put the accent on 'qué' when it's inside question marks or exclamation marks. It's one of the easiest ways to improve your written Spanish accuracy.

Qué + Noun

Whenever you want to say 'Which [noun]' in Spanish, your first instinct should be to use 'qué'. Example: '¿Qué color?' instead of '¿Cuál color?'.

Polite Alternatives

If you are in Mexico, try using '¿Mande?' instead of '¿Qué?' when you don't hear someone. It sounds much more local and polite.

Stress Patterns

In spoken Spanish, 'qué' is usually emphasized with more volume or a higher pitch than the conjunction 'que'. Training your ear to hear this stress will help you understand the sentence structure.

Inverted Marks

Practice typing the upside-down question mark (¿) and exclamation mark (¡). They are essential for professional and correct Spanish writing.

Greeting Variety

Learn different 'qué' greetings like '¿Qué hay?', '¿Qué tal?', and '¿Qué pasa?' to sound more natural in different social circles.

Indirect Questions

Don't forget the accent in sentences like 'No sé qué hacer'. Even without question marks, the 'qué' is still asking a question in your mind.

Exclamative Force

When using '¡Qué...!', don't be afraid to show emotion. Spanish is an expressive language, and the 'qué' is your tool for showing how you feel.

Definition vs Choice

Remember: Qué = Definition. Cuál = Choice. This simple rule solves 90% of the confusion between these two words.

Preposition Order

When using a preposition, it always goes before 'qué'. Example: '¿Con qué?' (With what?). Never put the preposition at the end of the sentence like in English.

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Think of the 'e' in 'qué' as a person standing tall with a hat (the accent) because they are asking a very important question.

Association visuelle

Imagine a giant question mark shaped like the letter 'Q' with an 'E' inside it wearing a crown.

Word Web

¿Qué? ¿Qué tal? ¡Qué bien! ¿Por qué? ¿Qué hora? ¿Qué pasa? ¿Qué significa? ¿Qué quieres?

Défi

Try to spend one hour only asking questions that start with 'Qué' to your language partner or in your head.

Origine du mot

Derived from the Latin word 'quid', which served as the neuter interrogative pronoun. Over centuries of linguistic evolution in the Iberian Peninsula, 'quid' transformed into the Spanish 'qué'.

Sens originel : In Latin, 'quid' meant 'what' or 'anything'.

Indo-European > Italic > Romance > Ibero-Romance > Spanish.

Contexte culturel

Be careful with the tone of '¿Qué?'. If said too loudly or sharply, it can sound like 'What do you want?!' rather than a polite 'Excuse me?'.

English speakers often struggle with the 'qué' vs 'cuál' distinction because 'what' covers both in many English dialects.

The song '¿Qué será, será?' (though the grammar is a mix of languages). The famous line '¿Qué es la vida?' from Calderón de la Barca's play 'La vida es sueño'. The catchphrase '¿Qué pasa, calabaza?' (What's up, pumpkin?).

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

At a restaurant

¿Qué hay de menú?
¿Qué me recomienda?
¿Qué lleva la ensalada?
¿Qué postre tienen?

Meeting someone

¿Qué tal?
¿Qué haces por aquí?
¿Qué cuentas?
¿Qué planes tienes?

In a classroom

¿Qué significa esto?
¿Qué página es?
¿Qué tenemos que hacer?
¿Qué dijo el profesor?

Shopping

¿Qué precio tiene?
¿Qué talla es esta?
¿Qué colores hay?
¿Qué garantía tiene?

Emergency

¿Qué ha pasado?
¿Qué puedo hacer?
¿Qué necesitas?
¿Qué es ese ruido?

Amorces de conversation

"¿Qué es lo más interesante que has hecho hoy?"

"¿Qué tipo de películas te gusta ver en el cine?"

"¿Qué harías si ganaras la lotería mañana mismo?"

"¿Qué es lo que más te gusta de vivir en esta ciudad?"

"¿Qué opinas sobre el uso de la inteligencia artificial?"

Sujets d'écriture

Escribe sobre qué cosas te hacen sentir feliz cada día.

¿Qué metas quieres alcanzar en los próximos cinco años?

Describe qué viste hoy de camino al trabajo o a la escuela.

¿Qué cambiarías de tu pasado si tuvieras la oportunidad?

Escribe sobre qué significa para ti la palabra 'amistad'.

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

Use 'qué' when you are asking for a definition (¿Qué es la libertad?) or when the word is followed immediately by a noun (¿Qué libro prefieres?). Use 'cuál' when you are choosing from a group or asking for a specific piece of information like a name or phone number (¿Cuál es tu número?).

The accent mark is a diacritic used to distinguish the interrogative/exclamative word 'qué' from the relative pronoun/conjunction 'que'. It indicates that the word is stressed in the sentence.

Yes. Even if there are no question marks, if the word 'qué' is functioning as an interrogative (asking for unknown information), it must have an accent. For example: 'No sé qué hora es'.

It can be. In many Spanish-speaking cultures, saying just '¿Qué?' when you didn't hear someone can sound blunt. Using '¿Cómo?' or '¿Perdón?' is generally considered more polite.

No, 'qué' is invariable. It stays the same whether you are asking about one thing or many things. For example: '¿Qué es esto?' and '¿Qué son estas cosas?'.

'Qué' is used for questions (direct or indirect). 'Lo que' is a relative pronoun used in statements to mean 'the thing that' or 'what'. Example: '¿Qué quieres?' vs 'Dime lo que quieres'.

Use '¡Qué!' followed by an adjective (¡Qué guapo!) or a noun (¡Qué suerte!). If you use a noun and an adjective together, use the pattern: ¡Qué + noun + tan/más + adjective! (¡Qué día tan bonito!).

It is a very common greeting that means 'How's it going?' or 'What's up?'. It can also be used to ask how something was, like '¿Qué tal la película?' (How was the movie?).

Yes, but only if you are asking for a definition. '¿Qué es un volcán?' asks for the definition of a volcano. If you want to know which one is yours, you would say '¿Cuál es el tuyo?'.

'Por qué' (two words, with accent) means 'why' and is used in questions. 'Porque' (one word, no accent) means 'because' and is used in answers.

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour les astuces et notes