when do you use the word cual and when do you use que

Question

If I understand correctly cual and que both mean what. So when do you use que and when do you use cual?

Answer 1

From what I understand from being hispanic and hearing my family speak spanish..they use cual....When they want to know which one....And que..... for what?

Answer 2

Sorry to double post: these other links might help too

Qué vs, Cuál on About.com

Qué vs Cuál on SpanishGrammarGenius

Answer 3

Here's the simplest, narrowed down use:

Qué = asking in general "what", can be used with definitions

Cuál = usually asking to select from a set and can be translated as "which"

This reference article here on SpanishDict will help a lot.

Answer 4

I am not a native speaker, but I have learned to use "cual" always and not "que" before "ser"..."Cuál es tu número de teléfono?"

But, there have been some circumstances where I've seen cual used with other verbs as well.

Someone please correct me if I'm wrong.