"Qué" and "cuál" are two words that can be confusing to people learning Spanish because they can be translated as the same word into English, namely, "what.
In this document, we explain the differences between them.
LA ECUACIÓN DEL NÚMERO PI EN LOS JUEGOS OLÍMPICOS DE PARÍS. Por JAVIER SOLIS ...
Differences between "qué" and "cuál"
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QUÉ vs CUÁL
When these two words (“que” and “cual”) don’t carry a written accent are used as
linking words (relative pronouns) translated 'that' or 'which'. They can stand for either
feminine or masculine objects as well as ideas or concepts:
• El libro QUE me diste ayer
(The book that you gave me yesterday)
• Una preciosa película en la CUAL actúa Julia Roberts
(A beautiful movie in which Julia Roberts plays)
• Creo que sí
(I think that is so)
Accented forms of these words appear only in exclamations and in questions, which
includes an indirect question. The accented “qué” is found most often at the
beginning of a sentence, although it sometimes follows de and other prepositions,
especially in indirect questions:
• ¿De qué color es la falda?
(What color is the skirt?)
It is sometimes said that “qué” is closer to "what" in meaning, and “cuál” is closer to
"which." But that rule isn't always true.
"¿Qué?" and "¿cuál?" can both mean “what?” and "¿cuál?" is also used to express
“which?”
The main difference is that "¿qué?" can be followed by a noun or a verb but "¿cuál?
can only be followed by a verb or the preposition "de".
• Qué – singular
• Qué – plural
• Cuál – singular
• Cuáles – plural
1. Suggest a choice within a group
¿Qué + noun?
• ¿Qué hermana es más optimista?
(Which sister is more optimistic?)
• ¿Qué país es más caro?
(Which country is more expensive?)
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• ¿Qué ríos son los más largos del mundo?
(Which are the largest rivers in the world?)
¿Cuál + verb/preposition “de”?
• ¿Cuál de las hermanas es más optimista?
(Which of the three sisters is more optimistic?)
• ¿Cuál de los dos países es más caro?
(Which of the two countries is more expensive?)
• ¿Cuáles son los ríos más largos del mundo?
(Which are the longest rivers in the world?)
2. Ask for definitions
¿Qué + verb?
• ¿Qué es un diccionario? = What is a dictionary?
• ¿Qué hace un cura? = What does a priest do?
• ¿Qué es esto? = What is this?
3. Inquire about preferences
¿Qué + verb? / ¿Cuál + verb?
Spaniards generally use "qué" when the objects you are asking about are not on your
sight and options are not given to you. And use "cuál" when you have them in your
hands or in front of you, or are specific items.
The verbs that we usually use in these kind of sentences are “preferir”, “gustar”,
“querer”, “desear”….
• ¿Qué quieres vender?
(What do you want to sell?)
• ¿Cuál quieres llevarte?
(Which one do you want to take?)
• ¿Qué prefieres, la carne o el pescado?
(What do you prefer; meat or fish?)
• ¿Cuál prefieres, este o ese?
(Which one do you prefer; this or that one?)