Picture this: you're in a vibrant Spanish café, ready to order. You want to ask what the "cake of the day" is. You hesitate... is it ¿Qué es el pastel del día? or ¿Cuál es el pastel del día?
If this scenario feels familiar, you're not alone! The battle between qué, cuál, and its plural form cuáles is one of the most common hurdles for Spanish learners. They both often translate to "what" or "which" in English, creating a recipe for confusion.
But don't worry! By the end of this guide, you'll be asking questions with the confidence of a native speaker. Let's crack this code together.
The Golden Rule: Definition vs. Selection
Before we get into the nitty-gritty, let's start with the single most important concept that will solve 80% of your problems.
The Core Difference
- Qué is used to ask for definitions or explanations. Think of it as a wide-open question. It asks, "What?"
- Cuál / Cuáles is used to ask for a selection or choice from a group of options, even if those options aren't explicitly stated. It asks, "Which one(s)?"
Keep this fundamental idea in your mind as we explore the specific rules.
All About 'Qué': Your Go-To for "What?"
Qué is your trusty tool when you need information, definitions, or are asking about things in general.
1. Asking for Definitions
When you want to know what something is, qué is your word.
- ¿Quéwhat es 'la paella'? (What is 'paella'?)
- ¿Qué significa eso? (What does that mean?)
- ¿Qué haces? (What are you doing?)
2. The Unbreakable Rule: 'Qué' + Noun
This is a big one. When you are asking a question and the question word comes directly before a noun, you must use qué. No exceptions!
- ¿Qué libro estás leyendo? (What book are you reading?)
- ¿Qué sabor de helado quieres? (What flavor of ice cream do you want?)
- ¿De qué color es tu coche? (What color is your car?)
Using cuál here is a very common mistake for English speakers. Let's see it in action.
Drag the handle to compare
Let's test your knowledge on this crucial rule!
Which question is grammatically correct?
Mastering 'Cuál' and 'Cuáles': Your Choice Words
Think of cuál as "which one" and cuáles as "which ones." You're always singling something out from a set.
The difference is simple:
- Cuál → singular (which one)
- Cuáles → plural (which ones)
1. Making a Choice
Use cuál or cuáles when you're choosing between two or more options.
- Aquí hay dos camisetas. ¿Cuálwhich one prefieres? (Here are two t-shirts. Which one do you prefer?)
- De todas estas canciones, ¿cuáleswhich ones son tus favoritas? (Of all these songs, which ones are your favorites?)
- No sé qué película ver. ¿Cuál me recomiendas? (I don't know what movie to watch. Which one do you recommend?)
Notice in the last example, the "group" of options (all the movies you could possibly watch) is implied, not stated.
The Main Event: 'Qué' vs. 'Cuál' with the Verb 'Ser'
Okay, this is where things get tricky. When you pair these words with the verb ser (to be), the "definition vs. selection" rule becomes your best friend.
¿Qué es...?asks for a definition.¿Cuál es...?asks to identify or choose something.
Let's look at some classic examples:
- ¿Qué es un teléfono? (What is a telephone?)
- You're asking for the definition of the object. "It's a device for communication."
- ¿Cuál es tu número de teléfono? (What is your phone number?)
- You're asking me to select my number from all the possible numbers in the world.
The 'Implied Choice'
When we ask a question like "¿Cuál es tu nombre?" (What is your name?), we're using 'cuál' because we are asking you to choose or identify your specific name from the millions of possible names that exist. You are selecting one from an implicit set.
Here's another one:
- ¿Qué es la capital de Francia? (What is the capital of France?)
- This is a trick! Many learners default to
cuálhere, but asking "what is the capital" is essentially asking for a piece of information, similar to a definition.
- This is a trick! Many learners default to
- ¿Cuál de estas ciudades es la capital: Lyon, Marsella o París? (Which of these cities is the capital: Lyon, Marseille, or Paris?)
- Here, we've provided a specific, limited set to choose from, so
cuális the clear winner.
- Here, we've provided a specific, limited set to choose from, so
Let's Practice!
Time to put it all together. Unscramble the following sentence to form a correct question.
Arrange the words to form a correct sentence:
The Final Takeaway
Feeling more confident? Let's boil it down one last time:
- Use Qué for definitions and always before a noun.
- ¿Qué es eso?
- ¿Qué libro... ?
- Use Cuál(es) for selection/choice from a group (real or implied).
- ¿Cuál prefieres?
- ¿Cuál es tu nombre?
Like any skill, mastering qué and cuál just takes a little practice. The next time you're about to ask a question in Spanish, take a quick pause and ask yourself: "Am I asking for a definition, or am I asking someone to make a choice?"
You've got this! For more practice, try incorporating these question words while reading our interactive Spanish stories.