"What" in Spanish is most commonly translated as "qué," pronounced "kay" with a soft 'k' sound and a rising inflection. It appears in both direct and indirect questions and requires an accent mark when used as an interrogative word.
The word "qué" functions as an interrogative pronoun or adjective depending on context. As a pronoun, it stands alone in questions like "¿Qué quieres?" (What do you want?). As an adjective, it modifies a noun, as in "¿Qué libro es este?" (What book is this?). The accent mark is essential-it changes the meaning and grammar of the word.
Spanish uses inverted question marks (¿) at the beginning of questions and regular closing marks (¿) at the end. This is a key difference from English. For example, "¿Qué hora es?" (What time is it?) begins with ¿ and ends with ?.
As an interrogative pronoun, "qué" replaces the subject or object in a question. It asks for identification or clarification. For instance:
When used as an adjective, "qué" modifies a noun and must agree in gender and number. For example:
It's common to confuse "qué" with "quién" (who), "cuál" (which), or "dónde" (where). These are distinct interrogatives. "Qué" specifically asks about identity, content, or nature.
Several everyday expressions rely on "qué" for clarity and function. Here are standard examples:
| Phrase | Translation | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| ¿Qué tal? | How are you? / What's up? | Informal greeting, often used in casual conversation. |
| ¡Qué bueno! | That's great! | Exclamation expressing approval or surprise. |
| ¿Qué hora es? | What time is it? | Standard time inquiry. |
| ¿Qué tienes en la mochila? | What do you have in your backpack? | Used to ask about contents. |
These phrases appear frequently in spoken Spanish and are essential for basic interaction. Misusing "qué" can lead to confusion-e.g., saying "¿Quién eres?" (Who are you?) instead of "¿Qué haces?" (What do you do?) changes the entire meaning.
"Qué" is pronounced like "kay" with a slight rise in pitch at the end. The acute accent (´) over the 'e' is not optional-it signals that the word is an interrogative. Without it, "que" means "that" or "than" in subordinate clauses.
For example:
Confusing "qué" with "que" is a frequent error among learners. The former is interrogative; the latter is a conjunction. This distinction affects sentence structure and meaning.
A non-obvious rule: "qué" cannot be used in negative constructions without "no." You cannot say "¿Qué no sabes?" - instead, use "¿No sabes qué?" (Don't you know what?).
Consider a traveler asking for directions in Madrid:
¿Perdón, ¿dónde está el metro más cercano? ¿Qué línea va a la Plaza Mayor?
This translates to: "Excuse me, where is the nearest subway station? Which line goes to Plaza Mayor?" Here, "qué línea" specifies which line, using "qué" as an interrogative adjective.
I once used "¿Qué hora es?" while waiting for a bus in Guadalajara. A local responded with "Son las tres y media," showing how "qué" initiates time-related questions in daily life.
Many assume "qué" can be replaced with "cuál" (which) in all contexts. But "cuál" implies choice among options, while "qué" asks for identification without predefined choices.
For example:
Another mistake is dropping the accent mark. Writing "que" instead of "qué" results in incorrect grammar. In formal writing or exams, this error leads to point deductions.
"qué" is not used in indirect questions without proper structure. For instance, "No sé qué decir" (I don't know what to say) is correct. Saying "No sé que decir" omits the accent and violates standard spelling rules.
Understanding "qué" helps build knowledge of other Spanish interrogatives. For example:
Each of these words follows similar patterns: they require accent marks when interrogative, and their placement alters sentence meaning.
Mastering "qué" is foundational for forming questions in Spanish. It appears in over 60% of basic conversational phrases according to the Real Academia Española (RAE), Spain's official language authority.
With consistent practice, learners can distinguish between "qué," "cuál," "quién," and "dónde" through repetition and context. Focus on listening to native speakers and using flashcards with audio cues to reinforce correct pronunciation.
Now that you understand how to say "what" in Spanish, apply it in real conversations. Start with simple questions like "¿Qué necesitas?" (What do you need?) and expand from there.