Using 'Qué' instead of 'Cuál'
Mistake: “A common error is asking '¿Qué es tu correo electrónico?'. This is a direct translation from English 'What is...'.”
Correction: ¿Cuál es tu correo electrónico?
How to say
What is your email address?
in Spanish¿Cuál es tu correo electrónico?
kwahl ess too koh-RRAY-oh eh-lek-TROH-nee-koh
This is the most standard and universally understood way to ask for someone's email address. The use of 'tu' makes it familiar, suitable for peers, friends, or in general informal settings.
In both social and professional settings, asking '¿Cuál es tu correo electrónico?' is key to staying connected.
🎬Watch & Learn
What is your email address? — in Spanish
💬Other Ways to Say It
¿Cuál es su correo electrónico?
★★★★★
kwahl ess soo koh-RRAY-oh eh-lek-TROH-nee-koh
formal🌍
This is the formal version, using 'su' instead of 'tu'. It's the go-to phrase in business settings, when addressing elders, or showing respect to someone you've just met.
When to use: Use this with clients, professors, older individuals, or anyone you'd address with 'usted' (the formal 'you').
¿Me das tu correo electrónico?
★★★★☆
meh dahs too koh-RRAY-oh eh-lek-TROH-nee-koh
informal🌍
Literally 'Can you give me your email?', this is a slightly more direct but still very common and friendly way to ask. It feels a bit more like a request than a straight question.
When to use: Great for asking new friends, classmates, or colleagues you have a good rapport with.
¿Me puede dar su correo electrónico?
★★★★☆
meh PWEH-deh dahr soo koh-RRAY-oh eh-lek-TROH-nee-koh
formal🌍
This is the formal version of 'Can you give me your email?'. It's very polite and perfect for customer service or professional situations.
When to use: Ideal when speaking to a company representative, a potential employer, or in any formal service interaction.
¿Cuál es tu correo?
★★★★★
kwahl ess too koh-RRAY-oh
informal🌍
A very common shortcut. Everyone understands that 'correo' in this context means 'email address', so 'electrónico' is often dropped in casual conversation.
When to use: Perfect for everyday, informal chats where the context is clear.
¿Cuál es tu email?
★★★★★
kwahl ess too EE-meyl
informal🌍
Due to English influence, using the word 'email' (often pronounced 'ee-meyl') is extremely common across the entire Spanish-speaking world. It's perfectly natural and widely accepted.
When to use: You can use this in almost any informal or semi-formal situation. It's a safe and modern bet.
¿Me pasas tu correo?
★★★★☆
meh PAH-sahs too koh-RRAY-oh
casual🇪🇸 🌎
Meaning 'Can you pass me your email?', this is a very common and casual phrase, especially in Spain and parts of Latin America. It implies a quick, informal exchange.
When to use: Use with friends, peers, and in very relaxed social settings. It's the Spanish equivalent of 'Shoot me your email'.
¿Cuál es tu dirección de correo electrónico?
★★☆☆☆
kwahl ess too dee-rek-SYOHN deh koh-RRAY-oh eh-lek-TROH-nee-koh
neutral🌍
This is the most literal and complete translation, using 'dirección' (address). While perfectly correct, it's a bit long and less common in spoken Spanish than the shorter versions.
When to use: You might see this written on official forms or hear it in very precise, formal contexts. It's good to recognize but not necessary for daily use.
🔑Key Words
📊Quick Comparison
Here's a quick comparison to help you choose the best way to ask for an email address based on the situation.
| Phrase | Formality | Best For | Avoid When |
|---|---|---|---|
| ¿Cuál es su correo electrónico? | Formal | Business settings, speaking to elders, or showing respect. | Chatting with close friends or children. |
| ¿Cuál es tu correo? | Informal | Everyday conversations with peers, friends, and classmates. | In a formal job interview or with a high-level executive. |
| ¿Me pasas tu email? | Casual | Relaxed social situations with people your age. | Any situation requiring even a little bit of formality. |
| ¿Me puede dar su correo? | Polite / Formal | Customer service interactions or politely requesting information. | Very casual hangouts where it might sound a bit stiff. |
📈Difficulty Level
Overall Difficulty:beginnerMaster in a few hours
Pronunciation3/5
The word 'electrónico' has several syllables and can be a mouthful for beginners. The rest of the phrase is straightforward.
Grammar2/5
The main grammatical challenge is knowing when to use 'cuál' instead of 'qué', and choosing between the informal 'tu' and the formal 'su'.
Cultural Nuance2/5
Understanding formality is the biggest cultural hurdle. Using 'tu' when 'su' is expected can seem overly familiar, but it's an easy mistake to correct.
Key Challenges:
- Remembering to use 'cuál' instead of 'qué'.
- Correctly pronouncing 'electrónico' and 'arroba'.
- Choosing the correct formality level ('tu' vs. 'su').
💡Examples in Action
A formal business or customer service interaction.A2
Para enviarle la factura, ¿me puede dar su correo electrónico, por favor?
To send you the invoice, can you give me your email address, please?
A casual conversation with a new friend.A2
¡Qué buena plática! Oye, ¿me pasas tu correo para seguir en contacto?
What a great chat! Hey, can you pass me your email so we can stay in touch?
A semi-formal interaction between classmates or colleagues.A1
Necesito tu email para añadirte al grupo del proyecto.
I need your email to add you to the project group.
Reading instructions on a form.A1
El formulario pide nombre, teléfono y correo electrónico.
The form asks for name, phone number, and email address.
🌍Cultural Context
How to Say the Symbols: '@' and '.'
This is crucial! When you spell out your email, the '@' symbol is called 'arroba' (ah-RROH-bah) and the dot '.' is 'punto' (POON-toh). So, '[email protected]' would be read aloud as 'nombre arroba email punto com'.
Formality Matters: 'Tú' vs. 'Usted'
Choosing between 'tu' (your, informal) and 'su' (your, formal) is important. 'Tu' is for friends, family, and peers. 'Su' is for showing respect to elders, bosses, clients, or people you don't know. When in doubt, starting with 'su' is always the safer, more polite option.
'Email' vs. 'Correo'
Don't be afraid to use the English word 'email'! It's completely integrated into modern Spanish and is often used more than the full 'correo electrónico', especially in casual conversation. In Argentina and Uruguay, you'll very frequently hear 'mail' (pronounced 'meyl').
Spelling is Key
Since many names and words can be spelled differently, it's very common for people to ask you to spell your email address. Be prepared to say '¿Cómo se escribe?' (How is it written?) or for them to ask you. Knowing the Spanish alphabet is a huge help here.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Pronouncing the Symbols Incorrectly
Mistake: “Saying 'at' for '@' or 'dot' for '.'.”
Correction: Use 'arroba' for '@' and 'punto' for '.'
Mixing Formality
Mistake: “Starting a formal conversation with 'usted' and then asking '¿Cuál es tu correo?'.”
Correction: If you are using 'usted', be consistent: '¿Cuál es su correo?'.
💡Pro Tips
Be Ready to Spell It Out
After you ask, they will likely start spelling their email. If they ask for yours, have it ready. A good phrase to start with is, 'Claro, es...' (Of course, it's...) and then spell it out clearly using 'arroba' and 'punto'.
Confirm You Got It Right
To make sure you heard correctly, you can repeat it back to them. For example, 'A ver... [email protected], ¿correcto?'. (Let's see... [email protected], correct?). This shows you were paying attention and avoids errors.
Shortcuts are Your Friend
In a casual setting, you can often just say '¿Tu correo?' or '¿Tu email?' with a questioning tone. The full sentence isn't always necessary if the context is clear, like when you have your phone out ready to type.
🗺️Regional Variations
🇪🇸
Spain
Preferred:¿Me pasas tu correo/email?
Pronunciation:The 'c' in 'electrónico' before 'i' is pronounced with a 'th' sound in most of Spain ('elek-THRO-nee-ko').
Alternatives:
¿Cuál es tu correo?Dame tu correo, porfa.
The verb 'pasar' (to pass) is extremely common for informally requesting information like emails or phone numbers. The use of 'vosotros' for plural 'you' would also apply: '¿Cuál es vuestro correo electrónico?'
⚠️ Note: Using 'tú' with someone clearly older or in a position of authority can be seen as disrespectful.
🇲🇽
Mexico
Preferred:¿Cuál es tu correo electrónico?
Pronunciation:Standard Latin American pronunciation. The 'c' is pronounced like an 's'.
Alternatives:
¿Me das tu correo?¿Cuál es tu email?
Mexicans tend to be slightly more formal in initial interactions than in other regions. Using '¿Me puede dar su correo?' in service situations is very common and appreciated. 'Email' is a very common loanword.
🇦🇷
Argentina
Preferred:¿Cuál es tu mail?
Pronunciation:The double 'l' in 'cuál es' might have a 'sh' sound ('kwash es').
Alternatives:
¿Me pasás tu mail?¿Tenés mail?
The English word 'mail' (pronounced 'meyl') is used almost exclusively over 'correo'. The 'voseo' form is standard, so you'll hear '¿Me pasás?' (instead of 'pasas') and '¿Tenés?' (instead of 'tienes').
⚠️ Note: Using 'correo electrónico' might sound a bit too formal or textbook-like in casual conversation.
💬What Comes Next?
After they give you their email address
→
You respond:
Gracias. Te envío un correo más tarde.
Thanks. I'll send you an email later.
You give them your email and they confirm
They say:
Listo, ya lo tengo. Gracias.
Okay, I've got it. Thanks.
→
You respond:
De nada. Espero tu mensaje.
You're welcome. I'll wait for your message.
When asking for a company's email
→
You respond:
Perfecto, muchas gracias por la información.
Perfect, thank you very much for the information.
🔄How It Differs from English
The biggest structural difference is using 'Cuál' instead of 'What'. In English, 'What is your address?' is standard. In Spanish, asking '¿Qué es tu dirección?' sounds like you're asking for the definition of an address. '¿Cuál es...?' is used to single out one piece of information from a world of possibilities.
The Spanish phrases are generally similar in directness to their English counterparts. Forms like '¿Me das...?' ('Can you give me...?') are slightly softer and more like requests, mirroring similar politeness strategies in English.
False Friends & Common Confusions:
"What is your email?"
Why it''s different: A direct word-for-word translation would be '¿Qué es tu email?'. This is grammatically incorrect for asking for the information itself. It asks for a definition.
Use instead: Always use '¿Cuál es tu email?' when asking someone to provide you with their email address.
🎯Your Learning Path
➡️ Learn Next:
How to say what is your phone number?
This is the other key piece of contact information you'll need to exchange.
How to spell your name?
Often, you'll need to spell out the name in an email address, so knowing how to ask this is essential.
Here is my business card.
In a professional context, this is a natural follow-up to exchanging contact details.
I'll send you an email.
This is the logical next step after getting someone's email address.
✏️Test Your Knowledge
Quick Quiz: What is your email address?
Question 1 of 4
You are at a business conference meeting a potential client for the first time. How should you ask for their email address?
Use phrases naturally, not mechanically
Knowing a phrase is one thing — using it at the right moment is another. Read 200+ illustrated and narrated Spanish stories to see phrases in the contexts where they actually belong.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do I have to use 'cuál es' instead of 'qué es'?
Think of it this way: '¿Qué es?' asks for a definition (e.g., 'What is an email?'). '¿Cuál es?' asks you to pick one specific item from a list of possibilities (e.g., 'Which one is your email address out of all the email addresses in the world?'). For asking for information like names, numbers, and addresses, always use 'cuál es'.
Can I really just use the English word 'email'?
Yes, absolutely! The word 'email' (and in Argentina, 'mail') is completely normal and understood everywhere. In casual conversations, it's often more common than the full 'correo electrónico'. It's a perfect example of how languages borrow words.
What's the quickest way to remember the difference between 'tu' and 'su'?
'Tu' is for people you talk to informally, like friends, family, or someone your age (think 'tú' form). 'Su' is for showing respect ('usted' form) or for formal situations like business. When in doubt, using 'su' is always the safer and more polite choice.
How do I say 'dot com' or 'dot net'?
You say 'punto com' (POON-toh kom) and 'punto net' (POON-toh net). The word for the dot is always 'punto'. So, '.co.uk' would be 'punto co punto u ka'.
Is it rude to just say '¿Tu correo?'
It's not rude, but it is very informal. With a friend or in a very casual setting where you're both relaxed, it's perfectly fine. However, in any situation with a hint of formality, it's better to use a full sentence like '¿Cuál es tu correo?' or '¿Me das tu correo?'.
What if I'm asking for the email address of a group or a company?
You would use the 'su' form. For example, '¿Cuál es su correo electrónico?' can mean 'What is your (formal) email?', 'What is his/her email?', 'What is their email?', or 'What is your (plural) email?'. The context makes it clear. You could also ask, '¿Cuál es el correo de la empresa?' (What is the company's email?).
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