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?

Determiner

cuál (interrogative)

  1. (Latin America) what; which (interrogative only)
    Synonym: qué
    ¿Cuáles gatos adoptaste del refugio? ― Which cats did you adopt from the shelter?
    Tengo que ir al aeropuerto, y todavía no sé cuál camino escoger.
    I have to go to the airport, and I still don't know which way I should go.

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. As a general rule, when using a form of the verb ser, then unless asking the definition or meaning of something, use cuál even when the English phrase uses "what":
    ¿Cuál es tu nombre? ― What is your name?
    ¿Cuál es el problema aquí? ― What is the problem here?

See also

Further reading

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