cuál
“cuál” means “which” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
which, what
Also: which one
📝 In Action
¿Cuál es tu número de teléfono?
A1What is your phone number?
¿Cuál de estos libros prefieres?
A2Which of these books do you prefer?
Hay dos caminos. No sé cuál tomar.
B1There are two paths. I don't know which one to take.
which, who / whom
Also: the one that
📝 In Action
Este es el puente por el cual cruzamos el río.
B1This is the bridge by which we crossed the river.
La reunión, para la cual me preparé mucho, fue cancelada.
B2The meeting, for which I prepared a lot, was canceled.
Los temas sobre los cuales discutimos son complejos.
B2The topics about which we argued are complex.
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: cuál
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence is the correct way to ask 'What is your profession?' in Spanish?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
Comes from the Latin word 'quālis', which meant 'of what kind' or 'of what sort'. It was used to ask about the nature or quality of something, and that idea of selecting or identifying something specific carried over into modern Spanish.
First recorded: Around the 10th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the simplest way to remember the difference between 'cuál' and 'qué'?
Think of it this way: Use 'qué' when you want a definition ('¿Qué es eso?' - What is that?). Use 'cuál' when you're asking someone to choose or identify something from a group, even an imaginary one ('¿Cuál prefieres?' - Which do you prefer?; '¿Cuál es tu nombre?' - What is your name?). Also, a great shortcut: 'qué' can go right before a noun ('¿Qué libro...?'), but 'cuál' almost never does.
When do I use the plural form 'cuáles'?
Use 'cuáles' whenever the answer you expect is plural. For example: '¿Cuál es tu color favorito?' (singular answer: 'blue') vs. '¿Cuáles son tus colores favoritos?' (plural answer: 'blue and green').
Why do people say 'el cual' or 'la cual'? Isn't 'que' easier?
Yes, 'que' (that/which) is often easier and more common in conversation. Using 'el/la cual' is a bit more formal and is very useful for being extra clear. In a long sentence like 'I saw the director's car, which was red,' using 'el cual' makes it 100% clear you're talking about the car, not the director. It removes any possible confusion.