cuyo
“cuyo” means “whose” in Spanish (relative possessive).
whose
Also: of which, of whom
📝 In Action
El escritor, cuya novela ganó el premio, es famoso.
B2The writer, whose novel won the prize, is famous.
Visitamos la ciudad, cuyos edificios son muy antiguos.
B2We visited the city, whose buildings are very old.
La mujer, a cuya hija ayudamos, nos dio las gracias.
C1The woman, whose daughter we helped, thanked us.
Tengo un perro, cuyo nombre es Max.
B2I have a dog, whose name is Max.
🔀 Commonly Confused With
Translate to Spanish
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: cuyo
Question 1 of 2
Which of the following sentences correctly uses 'cuyo'?
📚 More Resources
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼
Comes from the Latin word *cuius*, which meant 'whose' or 'of whom'. This word has been used in Spanish since the earliest written texts, helping show possession and relationship in a single package.
First recorded: Early medieval Spanish (circa 11th-12th century)
Cognates (Related words)
💡 Master Spanish
Take your Spanish to the next level. Read 200+ illustrated and narrated Spanish stories tailored to your level with the Inklingo app!
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is 'cuyo' less common than 'que' or 'quien'?
'Cuyo' is considered highly formal and sometimes sounds overly academic in casual speech. Native speakers often prefer simpler constructions like 'el hombre del que hablé' (the man about whom I spoke) instead of 'el hombre cuyo coche...' (the man whose car...).
Does 'cuyo' ever have an accent mark?
No. Unlike other question words like 'qué' or 'quién', 'cuyo' never takes a written accent mark, regardless of whether it is used in a question or statement.