How to Say “What” in Spanish

How to Say “What” in Spanish: A Quick Guide to This Versatile Word

“What” in Spanish is one of those words that, at first glance, seems simple enough. But, as with many words in any language, there’s more than meets the eye! In Spanish, there are several ways to say “what,” and each one conveys a slightly different nuance. So, let’s dive into this seemingly simple word and explore its different uses and contexts.

“Qué” – The Most Common Way to Say “What”

By far the most common way to say “what” in Spanish is “qué.” This word is extremely versatile and can be used in a multitude of contexts. Here are some examples:

• ¿Qué quieres comer? – What do you want to eat?
• No sé qué hacer – I don’t know what to do
• ¿De qué estás hablando? – What are you talking about?

As you can see, “qué” is used for asking questions, expressing surprise or confusion, and even for exclamations. It’s a word you’ll definitely want to have in your vocabulary!

“Qué tal” – A Greeting and a Question

“Qué tal” is a unique phrase that serves two purposes. Firstly, it’s a common greeting, similar to “how’s it going” or “how are you.” But it also literally translates to “how’s it going,” so it’s a question about the state of things. Here are some examples:

• Hola, ¿qué tal? – Hi, how’s it going?
• No los he visto en un tiempo, ¿qué tal están? – I haven’t seen them in a while, how are they doing?

“Cuál” – Asking for Clarification

“Cuál” is another way to say “what,” but it’s used when you’re asking for clarification or trying to identify something specific. It’s often used in questions like these:

• ¿Cuál es tu nombre? – What’s your name?
• ¿Cuál quieres? – Which one do you want?
• No entendí cuál era el problema – I didn’t understand what the problem was

“Qué pasa” and “Qué pasó” – “What’s Up” and “What Happened”

These two phrases are super common in casual conversations. “Qué pasa” means “what’s up” and is used as a greeting or to ask what’s going on. On the other hand, “qué pasó” means “what happened” and is used to ask about past events. Check out these examples:

• Hola, amigos, ¿qué pasa? – Hey, friends, what’s up?
• Llamé a tu teléfono, ¿qué pasó? No funcionó – I called your phone. What happened? It didn’t work.

Final Thoughts

Saying “what” in Spanish involves a bit more variety than in English, but it’s all part of the fun of learning a new language! Remember to pay attention to context and don’t be afraid to ask questions if you’re unsure. Before you know it, using “qué,” “cuál,” and the other variations will become second nature.