How To Say ‘What’ In Spanish (3 Simple Ways)
How To Say 'What' In Spanish (3 Simple Ways)
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Simple Ways To Say ‘What’ In Spanish
Are you learning Spanish and struggling to know how to say 'what'? Knowing how to say 'what' in Spanish can be very useful for anyone learning the language.
Spanish language learners often have trouble knowing how to say 'what' in different contexts. It's a pretty simple task, but it can go a long way when you're attempting to converse with native speakers.
RELATED: Spain Spanish vs Mexican Spanish: How To Choose The Best Dialect For You.
There are lots of different ways to say ‘what’ in Spanish, depending on the context of your conversation. Whether you need help introducing yourself or asking questions during conversations, knowing the various formulations of 'what' in Spanish will give you the confidence and vocabulary skills required for success.
In this article, we'll give you three simple ways to say 'what' in Spanish along with examples that make them easy to understand and use.
Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced speaker, understanding the different nuances between these words is essential for mastering the language. So let's get started!
What Is Going On With 'What' In Spanish?
When trying to learn a new language, one of the most important words that you must know is the word for ‘what’.
The Spanish language has many different ways to ask the question "What?". It’s an essential part of any conversation, and not knowing how to ask this question properly can result in confusion and misunderstandings.
In the Spanish language, 'what' can be expressed in many different ways. Depending on the context and tone, different phrases may be more appropriate.
Whether you are asking a question in a casual conversation or sparking an intellectual debate among friends, knowing how to say “what” in Spanish can help you express yourself clearly and accurately.
3 Different Ways To Say 'What' In Spanish
1. Qué
Have you ever wondered how to say “what” in Spanish? Look no future, as the most frequent translation for this word is qué. Similar to the English language, the Spanish word "qué" is used in questions and exclamations. Check out these examples to get a better idea:
¡Qué camiseta más chula te compraste! - What a cool t-shirt you bought!
¿Qué estás haciendo? - What are you doing?
¿Qué día es? - What day is it?
You may also use Qué in indirect questions, for instance:
No entiendo qué es lo que dijiste. - I don’t understand what you said.
No me preguntes qué hora es. - Don’t ask me what time it is.
Magdalena sabe muy bien qué quiere. - Magdalena knows very well what she wants.
Qué vs que
Learning Spanish can often be challenging, and this situation is no exception. It's important to know the distinction between qué vs que in order to avoid any confusion. Upon looking and listening to both, it's easy to understand why you may become confused.
Que, without an accentuation mark, is utilized to indicate "that" or "which", compared to qué which means "what". Let's take a look at this sentence where both "que" and "qué" are used:
¿Qué vas a hacer con la caja que está vacía? - What are you going to do with the box that is empty?
The best part is that they both have the same sound, so if you're casually conversing with another person, there's no need to differentiate between them. However, this is something you'll likely encounter when writing or reading.
2. Cuál
In Spanish another word for what is cuál. The actual translation of the word cuál is "which," but it's also used as an alternative for “what” in certain contexts. Here are some examples of situations where cuál is used:
¿Cuál es tu problema? - What’s your problem?
¿Cuál es el mejor restaurante de la Ciudad de México? - What’s the best restaurant in Mexico City?
¿Cuál es tu punto? - What’s your point?
So, how can you determine when it's appropriate to use cuál instead of qué? Unfortunately, there is no definitive answer.
As you continue to listen and learn Spanish, one version will eventually begin to feel more familiar - like a second language. To be on the safe side, opt for qué - it's by far the most common Spanish translation of "what".
3. Cómo
In certain contexts, the word “what” can be also translated as cómo in Spanish. We express disbelief with this phrase only when something unexpected has been said or happened.
While "¿Qué?" is a very colloquial way of asking questions, we don't recommend that you use it in informal contexts. Let’s take a look at some examples:
¿Cómo te llamas? - What is your name?
¿Cómo puedo llegar al aeropuerto? - How can I get to the airport?
¿Cómo es posible que lo haya hecho? - How is it possible that he did it?
Besides these three phrases, there are also some other ways to say “what” in Spanish:
1. De qué
Meaning "of what" or "about what". This phrase is used when you're asking for more details about something. Example:
Estoy hablando de de qué? - I'm talking about what?
2. A qué
Meaning "to what" or "for what". This phrase is used when you're asking for the purpose of something. Example:
¿Para qué necesitas esta tableta? - For what do you need this tablet?
3. Con qué
Meaning "with what" or "by what". This phrase is used when you're asking for something that will be used to accomplish a task. Example:
¿Con qué puedo limpiar esta ventana? - With what can I clean this window?
Common Phrases Beginning With "What"
The word “what” is used in many different expressions and scenarios, so it’s important to be familiar with a few of the most common ones. Here are some of the most popular Spanish phrases that include “what”:
1. ¿Qué tal?
This expression is commonly used to ask about someone’s wellbeing. It can also be used to inquire about something you heard or saw, such as:
¿Qué tal el concierto? - How was the concert?
2. ¿Qué más?
This popular phrase is usually used at the end of a conversation to ask if there is anything else that needs to be discussed. Here are a few examples of how it can be used:
¿Qué más necesitas? - What else do you need?
¿Qué más hay? - What else is there?
3. ¿Y qué?
This expression is used to ask for clarification or more information after something has been said. Here are some examples of how it can be used in a sentence:
¿Y qué sucedió después? - And what happened afterwards?
¿Y qué tienes que decir de eso? - And what do you have to say about that?
How To Practice Saying “What” in Spanish
Learning to say “what” in Spanish is easier said than done, and can take practice before you feel confident with the different phrases. Here are some helpful tips for mastering this phrase:
Listen and repeat
Start by listening to native Spanish speakers and repeating their words. This will help your pronunciation and give you an opportunity to practice the different expressions.
Create flashcards
Create flashcards with each phrase and its corresponding definition. Quiz yourself regularly and test your knowledge.
Learn Spanish using Pimsleur
Pimsleur is an audio-based language learning program. With Pimsleur, you can learn Spanish on the go and practice hearing and speaking the language in everyday situations.
RELATED: Pimsleur Review: How To Learn Any Language With This Super Easy Method.
Use it in everyday conversation
Once you know the different ways of saying “what” in Spanish, try incorporating them into your everyday conversations. This will not only help you remember and refine your pronunciation, but it can also make for some fun conversations with friends!
Conclusion
In any language it can be difficult to know all the right words to express yourself. Learning the different ways to say “what” in Spanish can be a daunting task, but it’s an important part of mastering the language.
Whether you are introducing yourself or asking questions during debates, knowing how to express yourself clearly can make all the difference when conversing with Spanish speakers.
By following these three easy ways, you can now confidently use this word in everyday conversations and sound like a pro!
So start practicing today and take your Spanish-speaking skills to the next level! ¡Buena suerte! (Good luck!).
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I am the founder and blogger of Sololingual helping anyone at any age, from any place, who wants to learn a new language. You can learn how to reach fluency in your chosen language fast, fun and easily studying a short amount each day and spending very little money using different language learning techniques, programs and resources at your disposal. Fluency isn't difficult to achieve. In fact, it’s easy when you find a solid method that walks you through every step of the way, and believing in yourself so that you can achieve your goal at becoming fluent in any language.
