adonde / a dondevsadónde
/ah-DOHN-deh/
/ah-DOHN-deh/
💡 Quick Rule
Use `adónde` with an accent for questions ('to where?'). Use `adonde` or `a donde` with no accent for statements connecting to a place.
The accent mark (`´`) looks like a little question mark on its side. If you're asking, add the accent!
- Use `adónde` even in indirect questions, like 'No sé adónde vamos' (I don't know to where we are going).
📊 Comparison Table
| Context | adonde / a donde | adónde | Why? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic Use Case | La ciudad adonde viajamos es bonita. | ¿Adónde viajamos? | Use `adonde` to connect back to 'la ciudad'. Use `adónde` to ask for the destination. |
| Embedded in a sentence | El lugar a donde vamos es un secreto. | No recuerdo adónde vamos. | `a donde` acts as a relative adverb (a connector). `adónde` introduces an indirect question (the unknown information). |
| Giving vs. Asking for directions | Ve a donde te indiqué en el mapa. | Pregúntale adónde tenemos que ir. | Use `a donde` when giving the destination. Use `adónde` when asking for it. |
✅ When to Use "adonde / a donde" / adónde
adonde / a donde
(to) where (in a statement). Used as a connector to link a verb of motion (like 'ir', 'viajar', 'llegar') to a destination that has already been mentioned.
/ah-DOHN-deh/
Connecting to a mentioned destination
Esa es la playa adonde vamos todos los veranos.
That is the beach where we go every summer.
Referring to a general or unstated place
Iré a donde tú me digas.
I will go wherever you tell me.
Interchangeable forms (modern use)
El restaurante adonde/a donde fuimos era excelente.
The restaurant where we went was excellent.
adónde
to where? (in a question). Used to ask about the destination of a verb of motion.
/ah-DOHN-deh/
Direct questions
¿Adónde vas con tanta prisa?
Where are you going in such a hurry?
Indirect questions
Dime adónde quieres ir de vacaciones.
Tell me where you want to go on vacation.
Exclamations about destination
¡Mira adónde hemos llegado!
Look where we've ended up!
🔄 Contrast Examples
With "adonde / a donde":
Este es el restaurante adonde te llevé.
This is the restaurant where I took you.
With "adónde":
¿Adónde me llevaste? No me acuerdo.
Where did you take me? I don't remember.
The Difference: `adonde` is the connector in a statement of fact. `adónde` is the question word asking for that same information.
With "adonde / a donde":
Iremos a donde sea más barato.
We'll go wherever is cheapest.
With "adónde":
Todavía no sabemos adónde iremos.
We still don't know where we will go.
The Difference: `a donde` refers to a yet-to-be-determined but definite destination. `adónde` highlights the uncertainty and introduces an indirect question.
🎨 Visual Comparison
Split-screen. Left: A map with a red line going from a house to a park, labeled 'adonde'. Right: A person shrugging with a giant question mark over their head, labeled 'adónde'.
`adonde` points to the destination. `adónde` asks for it.
⚠️ Common Mistakes
¿A donde vamos esta noche?
¿Adónde vamos esta noche?
All questions (direct or indirect) about a destination must use the accented form `adónde`.
La casa adónde voy está en la otra calle.
La casa adonde voy está en la otra calle.
This is a statement connecting 'casa' and 'voy', not a question, so it doesn't need an accent.
El hotel adonde nos quedamos era muy cómodo.
El hotel donde nos quedamos era muy cómodo.
`Adonde` is only for verbs of motion *to* a place. For location (*staying in* a place), use `donde`.
📚 Related Grammar
Want to understand the grammar behind this pair? Explore these lessons for a deep dive:
🏷️ Key Words
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: Adonde vs A donde vs Adónde
Question 1 of 2
Fill in the blank: 'No sé ___ vamos, ¡estoy perdido!'
🏷️ Tags
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the real difference between 'adonde' (one word) and 'a donde' (two words)?
Historically, 'adonde' was used when the place was explicitly mentioned right before it (e.g., 'la casa adonde voy'), and 'a donde' was used when it was not. However, the Real Academia Española now considers them interchangeable in almost all cases. As a learner, you can generally use whichever you prefer, though 'adonde' is slightly more common.
Why does 'adónde' have an accent but 'adonde' doesn't?
In Spanish, question words (like qué, cuándo, cómo, dónde) get an accent mark to distinguish them from their non-question counterparts. 'Adónde' is the question word 'to where?'. 'Adonde' is a relative adverb, which is a fancy way of saying it's just a connector word in a statement, not a question.
When should I use 'donde' instead of 'adonde'?
Great question! Use 'adonde' only for motion *towards* a destination (with verbs like ir, viajar, llegar). Use 'donde' for static location (*in* or *at* a place) with verbs like estar, vivir, trabajar. For example: 'La ciudad *adonde* viajo' (where I'm traveling to) vs. 'La ciudad *donde* vivo' (where I live).