Translating the simple English word “what” into Spanish can be surprisingly complex for language learners. You might encounter several translations like qué, cuál, lo que, and even cómo, each used in distinct contexts. Understanding these nuances is crucial for accurate and natural Spanish communication. This guide will break down the different ways to say “Spanish Of What,” ensuring you choose the correct translation every time and enhance your grasp of the Spanish language.
Qué: The Versatile “What” in Spanish
In most situations, particularly when forming questions or exclamations, qué serves as the most reliable translation for “what.” It’s essential to note the accent mark on qué because que without the accent has a completely different function in Spanish grammar. Consider qué and que as separate words to emphasize the importance of the accent.
Here’s how qué functions as “what” in various contexts:
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Direct Questions: Qué is the go-to word for direct questions seeking information.
- ¿Qué hora es? (What time is it?)
- ¿Qué es esto? (What is this?)
- ¿Qué vas a hacer? (What are you going to do?)
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Exclamations: Qué intensifies exclamations, expressing surprise, admiration, or other strong emotions.
- ¡Qué día tan hermoso! (What a beautiful day!)
- ¡Qué sorpresa! (What a surprise!)
- ¡Qué inteligente eres! (What an intelligent person you are!)
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Indirect Questions: Qué is also used when embedding a question within a statement, commonly after verbs like saber (to know), decir (to say), and preguntar (to ask).
- No entiendo qué quieres decir. (I don’t understand what you mean.)
- Dime qué pasó. (Tell me what happened.)
- Quiero saber qué piensa. (I want to know what he thinks.)
Cuál and Cuáles: Choosing “What” from Options
When “what” implies a selection from a set of possibilities, cuál (singular) or cuáles (plural) is the appropriate translation. Think of cuál and cuáles as meaning “which one” or “which ones.” This usage highlights a choice or distinction among options.
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Singular Choice: Cuál is used when you are asking to choose one item from a group.
- ¿Cuál es tu color favorito? (What is your favorite color? / Which one is your favorite color?)
- ¿Cuál de estos libros quieres leer? (What of these books do you want to read? / Which one of these books do you want to read?)
- ¿Cuál es el mejor restaurante aquí? (What is the best restaurant here? / Which one is the best restaurant here?)
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Plural Choice: Cuáles is used when you are asking to choose multiple items or when the noun is plural.
- ¿Cuáles son tus deportes favoritos? (What are your favorite sports? / Which ones are your favorite sports?)
- ¿Cuáles prefieres, manzanas o naranjas? (What do you prefer, apples or oranges? / Which ones do you prefer, apples or oranges?)
- ¿Cuáles son los problemas principales? (What are the main problems? / Which ones are the main problems?)
Interestingly, cuál can sometimes be used even when “which” sounds slightly unnatural in English, particularly when inquiring about a defining characteristic or identity from a set of possibilities.
- ¿Cuál es tu nombre? (What is your name?) – While literally “Which is your name?”, it naturally implies choosing your name from possible names in a way.
- ¿Cuál es la capital de España? (What is the capital of Spain?) – Again, implying “Which one is the capital from the potential places?”.
Qué or Cuál as Adjectives: Modifying Nouns with “What” or “Which”
When “what” acts as an adjective, modifying a noun directly, qué is generally preferred before nouns in Spanish. While cuál might be heard in some regions or among certain speakers, qué is the more standard and widely accepted choice as an adjective meaning “what” or “which.”
- ¿Qué libro estás leyendo? (What book are you reading? / Which book are you reading?)
- ¿Qué tipo de música te gusta? (What type of music do you like? / Which type of music do you like?)
- No sé qué camino tomar. (I don’t know what path to take. / I don’t know which path to take.)
While cuál as an adjective isn’t grammatically incorrect, it’s less common and can sound less natural in many Spanish-speaking areas. Sticking with qué as an adjective is usually the safest bet.
Lo Que: “What” Meaning “That Which”
Lo que translates to “what” when it carries the meaning of “that which.” This construction is particularly common when “what” functions as the subject of a clause or statement in English. You can often replace “what” with “that which” in these sentences, although it might sound somewhat formal in English.
- Lo que necesito es un descanso. (What I need is a rest. / That which I need is a rest.)
- Lo que dijo no es verdad. (What he said is not true. / That which he said is not true.)
- No entiendo lo que está pasando. (I don’t understand what is happening. / I don’t understand that which is happening.)
Lo que essentially creates a noun phrase, referring to something unspecified or undefined, similar to “that which” in older English.
Cómo: The Exclamatory “What?!”
Cómo is rarely used to mean “what,” except as a strong interjection expressing disbelief or shock, similar to saying “What?!” in English with a tone of incredulity. In some regions, ¿Cómo? can also be used to ask someone to repeat themselves, though this usage can sometimes be perceived as impolite depending on the context and tone.
- ¡Cómo! ¿De verdad ganaste la lotería? (What! Did you really win the lottery?) – Expressing shock and disbelief.
- ¡Cómo! No puedo creerlo. (What! I can’t believe it.) – Showing strong disbelief.
- ¿Cómo? Perdón, no te oí bien. (What? Sorry, I didn’t hear you well.) – Asking for repetition (use with caution regarding politeness).
In summary, while cómo can translate to “what” in these very specific exclamatory or questioning contexts, its primary meaning is “how,” and it’s not a general substitute for other forms of “what” in Spanish.
Mastering the Spanish of “What”
Understanding the nuances of translating “what” into Spanish is a key step in mastering the language. By recognizing the context and intended meaning—whether you’re asking a question, making an exclamation, implying a choice, or using “what” to mean “that which”—you can confidently select the correct Spanish equivalent. Practice using qué, cuál, lo que, and cómo in different sentences to solidify your understanding and speak Spanish more accurately and naturally.
