cuya
“cuya” means “whose” in Spanish (Used before a feminine singular noun to show possession).
📝 In Action
Esa es la escritora, cuya última novela fue un éxito.
B2That is the writer, whose latest novel was a success.
La mesa, cuya pata está rota, necesita reparación.
B1The table, whose leg is broken, needs repairing.
Visitamos la ciudad, cuya historia es fascinante.
B2We visited the city, whose history is fascinating.
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: cuya
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence correctly uses 'cuya'?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
Comes from the Latin word *cuius*, which meant 'of whom' or 'whose.' This possessive form evolved directly into the modern Spanish 'cuyo/cuya,' retaining its function of linking possession.
First recorded: 11th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'cuya' a question word?
No. Unlike English 'whose,' 'cuya' is only used to connect two parts of a statement. The Spanish question word for 'whose' is '¿De quién?' ('Whose book is this?' is '¿De quién es este libro?').
When should I use 'cuya' instead of 'de la que'?
'Cuya' is usually shorter and more direct, especially in writing. 'De la que' (or similar phrases) is often used more in very casual speech, but 'cuya' is preferred when you want to sound clear and formal.