Qué vs. Cuál - What? or Which?  


What? or Which?

Non-Spanish speakers often confuse the words qué and cuál.

  • ¿qué? - what?; which?
  • ¿cuál / cuáles? - what?, which?

    We use often use qué in questions:

    For a definition/explanation

    ¿Qué es?
    What is it?
    ¿Qué pasa?
    What's up? / What's wrong?
    ¿Qué busca?
    What is he/she looking for?
    What are you looking for? (formal)

    Before nouns in a question

    ¿Qué fecha es hoy?
    What is today's date?
    ¿Qué hora es?
    What is the time?
    ¿Qué película te gusta más?
    Which movie do you like the most?

    We use often use cuál / cuáles in questions:

    Before a form of ser (to be)

    ¿Cuál es la llave?
    Which is the key?
    ¿Cuál es tu dirección?
    What is your address?
    ¿Cuál es el número?
    What is the number?

    Among obvious choices:

    ¿Cuál preferirías tomar, agua o café?
       Which would you prefer to drink: water or coffee?

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  • Related Topics
    asking questions

    Interrogative Vocabulary

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    Popular Phrase: cual hay   | Conversational Spanish