Which is correct--¿Qué es tu nombre? or ¿Cuál es tu nombre?

Question

What ways can we ask What is your name?

Answer 1

I would type that into the excellent translation engine listed on the blue bar at the top of the screen.

Well, since the translator will give you three different answers I will let you know.

¿Cuál es tu nombre? would be correct.

This thread might be of interest to you How to say, "What is your name?"

• Again, I'm pretty sure it's "tu" not "tú" - jrey0474 Oct 12, 2009
• I stand corrected - Izanoni1 Oct 12, 2009

Answer 2

In Spanish they say: Which (of the many names available) is your name? o ¿Cuál es tu nombre?

Answer 3

¿Tu nombre? Cúal es, Qúe es. O ¿Cómo te llamas?

I was working in an office and a customer came to the window and the clerk said, "¿Cual es tu nombre? She was looking at a clipboard of names and the customer was familiar. I've seen her before.

I'm wondering if the clerk was asking which is your name because she was in a formal office environment but was familiar with the customer. Implying she knew the persons name without being able to figure out which one it was on the list.

¿Como te llamas? being what is your name we haven't met or we are still new friends. Maybe she didn't want to ask it this way because it is perhaps to friendly?

¿Que es tu nombre? Would be more formal way of asking. Perhaps to formal for someone you see most everyday.

When I asked the questioner she said she wasn't saying which is your name. Just what is your name. But after much consideration I think she was dodging my question. Another Spanish speaker said that que and cual can both be used and she also confirmed that cual is which.

=== I know this thread is over a year old, but I think it best to post here. And, if I expressed it correctly, could explain when you might use each formulation.

• I also think it can be either. - Goyo Nov 12, 2010

Answer 4

¿Qué es tu nombre?

The silly answer to this silly question is "Lo que la gente me llama" (What people call me), which is an answer to the original question: "Define 'your name'".

Answer 5

I would type that into the excellent translation engine listed on the blue bar at the top of the screen.

Answer 6

¿Mi nombre es X. Cuál es el tuyo?

Answer 7

¿Cuál es tu nombre? is correct. The other one would be a literal translation from English

• I think Motzie had it right; it is "tu", not "tú". - jrey0474 Oct 12, 2009
• Again. I stand corrected - Izanoni1 Oct 12, 2009
• I look forward to you returning the favor. - jrey0474 Oct 12, 2009

Answer 8

Cual es tu nombre.

• ¿Cuál es tu nombre? - jrey0474 Oct 12, 2009

Answer 9

También, "¿Cómo te llamas?"

Answer 10

"Cual is tu nombre?" is correct but "Como te llamas?" is more commonly used.

• ¡Ay, ay, ay! - jrey0474 Oct 12, 2009

Answer 11

¿Cuál es tu nombre? means which is your name? that would be like researching but ¿Como te llamas? is way better to use