cuál

See also: cual and cuâl

Spanish

Alternative forms

Etymology

Inherited from Latin quālis (“which”).

Pronunciation
  • IPA(key): /ˈkwal/ [ˈkwal]
  • Audio:(file)
  • Rhymes: -al
  • Syllabification: cuál

Pronoun

cuál (plural cuáles)

  1. (interrogative pronoun, as part of a question) what (in terms of a very specific item); which, which one
    ¿Cuál es tu dirección?
    What is your address?

Usage notes
  • There are certain times where cuál would translate as "what" in English and qué would translate as "which". This can confuse English speakers.

Here are a couple guidelines:

  1. If one is using a form of the verb ser, then unless one is asking the definition or meaning of something, one would use cuál even if in English, one would translate it as "what".
    ¿Cuál es su nombre? ― What is your name?
    ¿Cuál es el problema aquí? ― What is the problem here?
  2. If in English, the interrogative pronoun "what" or "which" is operating as an adjective preceding the modified noun, then one would use qué and not cuál even if in English it might be translated as "which"
    ¿Qué medicamentos ha tomado en el pasado, señor? ― Which medications have you taken in the past, sir?
    ¿Qué pobre señorita ha capturado tu corazón esta vez? ― Which poor young lady has captured your heart this time?
    ¿Qué color de la pintura prefieres para las paredes del baño, rosa o marrón? ― Which color of paint do you prefer for the bathroom walls, pink or brown?

See also

Further reading
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