Qué vs. Cuál
Qué is the same in the singular and plural forms; the plural of cuál iscuáles.
It is sometimes said that qué is closer to "what" in meaning, and cuál is closer to "which." But that rule isn't always reliable. Here is a guide to knowing which of the two pronouns to use:
Qué is used when asking for definitions.
Cuál usually is used before es and other forms of ser when not seeking a definition:
Cuál is used to suggest a selection or choice from among a group:
Ser vs. Estar
Whole books have been written about the two important Spanish verbs: ser and estar. This will be the subject of our discussion for the next few lessons. Soon, you will have a very good understanding of how these two verbs are used.
Ser and estar can both be translated as "to be." Here is the English verb, fully conjugated:
to be
I am
you are
he/she is
we are
you-all are
they are
In Spanish, a different verb is used to express "to be" depending on whether the speaker intends to address a condition or an essential quality.
La manzana está verde.
The apple is green. (condition)
La manzana es verde.
The apple is green. (essence)
Note how the adjective "verde" actually changes meaning, depending upon whether it is used with ser or estar.
La manzana está verde.
(condition: verde = unripe)
La manzana es verde.
(essential characteristic: verde = color green)
To address condition, use estar. Estar is an irregular verb. It does not follow the standard rules of conjugation for regular -ar verbs. Therefore, you must memorize it.
estar
estoy
estás
está
estamos
están
To address an essential quality, use ser. Ser is also irregular and must be memorized.
ser
soy
eres
es
somos
sois
son
Estar is used with adjectives to express a state or condition ("how" something is). Estar is used to express geographic or physical locations.
Ser is used to express the hour, day, and date. Ser is used to express place of origin. Ser is used to express occupation. Ser is used to express nationality. Ser is used with certain impersonal expressions. Ser is used to tell where an event is taking place.
Qué is the same in the singular and plural forms; the plural of cuál iscuáles.
It is sometimes said that qué is closer to "what" in meaning, and cuál is closer to "which." But that rule isn't always reliable. Here is a guide to knowing which of the two pronouns to use:
Qué is used when asking for definitions.
- ¿Qué es una ciudad? What is a city?
- ¿Qué hace un presidente? What does a president do?
- ¿Qué significa "talanquera"? What does "talanquera" mean?
- ¿De qué color es la camisa? What color is the shirt?
- ¿Qué casa prefieres? Which house do you prefer?
- ¿Qué libro leíste? Which book did you read?
Cuál usually is used before es and other forms of ser when not seeking a definition:
- ¿Cuál es tu número de teléfono? What is your phone number?
- ¿Cuál es tu problema? What is your problem?
- ¿Cuáles son las ciudades más grandes? What are the biggest cities?
Cuál is used to suggest a selection or choice from among a group:
- ¿Cuál miras? Which one are you looking at? But, ¿Qué miras? What are you looking at?
- ¿Cuál prefieres? Which one do you prefer? But, ¿Qué prefieres? What do you prefer?
- ¿Cuáles quieres? Which ones do you want? But, ¿Qué quieres? What do you want?
- ¿Cuál es el más caro? Which is the most expensive?
- ¿Cuáles son los más caros? Which are the most expensive?
Ser vs. Estar
Whole books have been written about the two important Spanish verbs: ser and estar. This will be the subject of our discussion for the next few lessons. Soon, you will have a very good understanding of how these two verbs are used.
Ser and estar can both be translated as "to be." Here is the English verb, fully conjugated:
to be
I am
you are
he/she is
we are
you-all are
they are
In Spanish, a different verb is used to express "to be" depending on whether the speaker intends to address a condition or an essential quality.
La manzana está verde.
The apple is green. (condition)
La manzana es verde.
The apple is green. (essence)
Note how the adjective "verde" actually changes meaning, depending upon whether it is used with ser or estar.
La manzana está verde.
(condition: verde = unripe)
La manzana es verde.
(essential characteristic: verde = color green)
To address condition, use estar. Estar is an irregular verb. It does not follow the standard rules of conjugation for regular -ar verbs. Therefore, you must memorize it.
estar
estoy
estás
está
estamos
están
To address an essential quality, use ser. Ser is also irregular and must be memorized.
ser
soy
eres
es
somos
sois
son
Estar is used with adjectives to express a state or condition ("how" something is). Estar is used to express geographic or physical locations.
Ser is used to express the hour, day, and date. Ser is used to express place of origin. Ser is used to express occupation. Ser is used to express nationality. Ser is used with certain impersonal expressions. Ser is used to tell where an event is taking place.