Learning Spanish opens up a vibrant world, but navigating the nuances of translation can sometimes feel like a maze. One common point of confusion for English speakers is the word “what.” Unlike English, Spanish doesn’t have a single equivalent. Instead, it uses a few different words depending on the context, including qué, cuál, lo que, and even cómo. Understanding when to use each of these translations is crucial for clear and accurate communication in Spanish.
This guide will break down the different ways to say “what” in Spanish, providing clear explanations and examples to help you master this essential aspect of the language. By understanding these distinctions, you’ll be able to confidently express yourself and understand native speakers more effectively.
Qué: The Most Versatile Translation of “What”
In most situations, particularly when asking questions or expressing surprise, qué is your go-to translation for “what.” It’s the most common and versatile option. It’s important to note the accent mark on qué. This accent distinguishes it from que (without the accent), which has different grammatical functions. Think of qué and que as entirely separate words. Using the accent mark correctly is essential for accurate writing and communication.
Let’s look at qué in action:
- ¿Qué hora es? (What time is it?) – Here, qué is asking for information about the time.
- ¡Qué película tan buena! (What a good movie!) – In this exclamation, qué emphasizes the quality of the movie.
- ¿Qué es eso? (What is that?) – A simple question asking for identification.
- ¿Qué te pasa? (What‘s wrong with you?/ What‘s happening to you?) – Inquiring about someone’s well-being or current situation.
- No entiendo qué quieres decir. (I don’t understand what you mean.) – Qué is used in an indirect question within a statement.
As illustrated in the last example, qué also plays a key role in indirect questions. These are questions embedded within a statement, often following verbs like saber (to know), decir (to say), preguntar (to ask), and entender (to understand).
- Me gustaría saber qué piensas. (I would like to know what you think.)
- Dime qué necesitas. (Tell me what you need.)
- No sé qué voy a hacer mañana. (I don’t know what I am going to do tomorrow.)
Cuál and Cuáles: Choosing “What” When There’s a Choice
When “what” implies a selection or choice from a set of options, Spanish typically uses cuál (singular) or cuáles (plural). Think of cuál/cuáles as translating to “which one” or “which ones.” This nuance is key to using cuál correctly.
Consider these examples where cuál indicates a choice:
- ¿Cuál es tu color favorito? (What is your favorite color? / Which one is your favorite color?) – Implies a choice from a range of colors.
- ¿Cuáles son tus libros preferidos? (What are your favorite books? / Which ones are your favorite books?) – Suggests selecting from a collection of books.
- Entre estos dos coches, ¿cuál comprarías? (Between these two cars, what would you buy? / Which one would you buy?) – Clearly presents a choice between two options.
While “what” in English doesn’t change form for singular or plural, cuál does. You must choose between cuál and cuáles based on whether you are referring to a singular or plural noun.
Sometimes cuál is used even when the “which one” translation isn’t immediately obvious in English. It still carries the underlying sense of selection or identification from possibilities.
- ¿Cuál es el problema? (What is the problem?) – Think of this as “Out of all possible problems, which one is it?”
- ¿Cuál es la capital de España? (What is the capital of Spain?) – Meaning “Among all possible cities, which one is the capital?”
- ¿Cuál es la mejor manera de aprender español? (What is the best way to learn Spanish?) – Implying there are multiple ways, and you’re asking to identify the best one.
Qué and Cuál as Adjectives: Modifying Nouns with “What” or “Which”
When “what” acts as an adjective, directly preceding a noun, Spanish primarily uses qué. Although cuál might be heard in some regions or dialects, qué is generally the safer and more widely accepted choice as an adjective.
Here are examples of qué as an adjective meaning “what” or “which”:
- ¿Qué libro estás leyendo? (What/which book are you reading?) – Qué modifies the noun libro.
- ¿Qué tipo de música te gusta? (What/which type of music do you like?) – Qué describes the noun tipo.
- No sé qué camino tomar. (I don’t know what/which path to take.) – Qué modifies the noun camino.
While you might occasionally encounter cuál used as an adjective, especially in certain areas, sticking with qué as an adjective is generally recommended, especially when learning.
Lo Que: Expressing “What” as “That Which”
Lo que is a phrase that translates to “what” when “what” essentially means “that which.” This construction is frequently used when “what” functions as the subject of a sentence in English. While replacing “what” with “that which” might sound a bit formal in English, understanding this equivalence clarifies the use of lo que.
Consider these examples where lo que means “that which”:
- Lo que necesito es un descanso. (What I need is a rest.) – Literally: That which I need is a rest.
- Lo que dijo no es verdad. (What he said is not true.) – Literally: That which he said is not true.
- Lo que más me gusta de España es la comida. (What I like most about Spain is the food.) – Literally: That which I like most about Spain is the food.
- No entiendo lo que está pasando. (I don’t understand what is happening.) – Literally: I don’t understand that which is happening.
Cómo: “What?” in Disbelief or to Repeat
Cómo primarily translates to “how” in Spanish. However, it can occasionally be used to mean “what” as an interjection expressing disbelief or when asking someone to repeat themselves. This usage of cómo for “what” is limited to these specific contexts.
Here’s how cómo can function as “what”:
- ¡Cómo! ¡No puede ser! (What! It can’t be!) – Expressing strong disbelief or surprise.
- ¡Cómo! ¿En serio? (What! Seriously?) – Showing incredulity.
- ¿Cómo? (What?) – Used to ask someone to repeat what they said, similar to saying “Excuse me?” or “Pardon?” in English. Note that while acceptable in some regions, in others, this usage of ¿Cómo? can be considered slightly impolite. More polite alternatives for asking someone to repeat include ¿Perdón? or ¿Mande? (in some Latin American countries).
Mastering “What” in Spanish: Key Takeaways
Saying “what” in Spanish isn’t a one-size-fits-all situation. The correct translation depends heavily on the context and the intended meaning. Here’s a quick recap to guide you:
- Use qué for most questions and exclamations, and in indirect questions. It’s the most common and versatile translation.
- Use cuál/cuáles when “what” implies a choice, meaning “which one” or “which ones.” Remember to use cuál for singular and cuáles for plural.
- Use qué as an adjective (before a noun) meaning “what” or “which.”
- Use lo que when “what” means “that which,” often when “what” is the subject of the sentence.
- Use cómo sparingly for “what,” mainly as an interjection expressing disbelief or to ask for repetition (be mindful of politeness).
By understanding these distinctions and practicing their usage, you’ll significantly improve your Spanish communication and avoid common translation errors. Learning when to use qué, cuál, lo que, and cómo is a key step towards fluency and confidence in Spanish.
