Which would I use??

Question

I need to know which one I would use when asking What is your telephone number? in Spanish. Cúal or Qúe?

Answer 1

¿Cuál es tu número de teléfono?

¿Qué es... would be asking for the definition of what your telephone number means.

Ok thank you!! - pazamaryespanol7, Sep 13, 2009

I have seen threads explaining this very idea, Quentin, in particular with Lazarus' explanations, a native speaker with a strong grammar foundation. But it sounds so strange. How do I get it to sound "wrong" when I use 'qué' incorrectly!!!!! - Janice, Sep 13, 2009

Answer 2

From what I gathered through reading and some formal training here and there, I decide between both words like this:

Qué (note the accent is on e, not u) - use to inquire about something you don't know, like in your case the phone number - in English mostly 'what?'

Cuál (note the accent is on a, not u) - use if you have to decide between two or more things that are known or seen. say in your case you are looking at two different phone numbers and you want to know which is the office phone number, you would probably say '¿cuál es el número de telefono de la oficina? - in English mostly 'which one?'

You are good. - 00769608, Sep 13, 2009

So you would have answered "Qué es tu numero de telefono?" since there are not two to choose from, the number simply being one you do not know? Sounds correct to me as a beginner, but check out Quentin´s answer.....I am confused. I - Janice, Sep 13, 2009

Answer 3

Here is another thread on the subject where you should find good information, too. What is the difference between qué and cuál

ps. You might note that the heading in the formal question "title" made it easy for me to find the thread.

Answer 4

¿Cuál es tu número de teléfono?