cuál

See also: cual and cuâl

Spanish

Alternative forms

• quál (obsolete)

Etymology

From Latin quālis (“which”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈkwal/ [ˈkwal]

• Audio:

  noicon

  (file)

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 you are using a form of the verb ser, then unless you are asking the definition or meaning of something, you 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 you would use qué and not cuál even if in English you might translate it 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

• qué