G A M E Qué vs Cuál

Question

Pretty simple, just to get a bit of practice as to when qué or cuál should be used (although sometimes either would be correct). This is how the game goes:

Translate the given sentence using qué or cuál (or the plural cuáles)

Give your reason why.

Leave a new sentence for translation.

I'll start us off with:

Given Sentence: What is a hedgehog?

Translated:

Reason:

New Sentence:

*Here are some suggestions from About.com and Voices en Español which may help:

Qué is used when asking for definitions or for identification.

Qué normally is most often used before nouns (although you will hear cuál sometimes used to mean "which").

Cuál is used to suggest a selection or choice from within a group. (but beware because qué followed by a noun asks “which one?”)

Qué is used for choice between general categories.

Cuál usually is used before es and other forms of ser when not seeking a definition. It then means “what” (which one of all the possibilities).

Qué has some common idiomatic uses.

Cuál + de + a plural noun asks “which” of two or more alternatives.*

Another little tip:

cuál es - what is qué es - what (kind of thing) is

PS: I'll do my very best to check and correct everyone's answers but as you all know this is a tricky subject and I'm far from infallible so if any native heavy weights would like to weigh in and offer any corrections or reasons why something is the way it is - they are more than welcome

Another great game for practicing a very important subject! - --Mariana--, Oct 4, 2010

You are amazing! - DR1960, Oct 4, 2010

Lol! Come on jump in :) - Kiwi-Girl, Oct 4, 2010

Good game Maria, I hadn't even really realized the difference between these words before! - schemmn, Oct 4, 2010

Thanx Schemmn - yes it's something that Spanish speakers do automatically but we learners need a few tips to get it right :) - Kiwi-Girl, Oct 4, 2010

challenging;) - Silvia, Oct 11, 2010

but fun :) join in Silvia! - Kiwi-Girl, Oct 11, 2010

Such an awesome game. I learned SO MUCH! I had to go through it a few times, but now it is clear..Thanks! - Peas, Dec 29, 2012

Gracias glad you found it helpful :) - Kiwi-Girl, Dec 29, 2012

Answer 1

Given Sentence: What is a hedgehog?

Translated: ¿Qué es un erizo?

Reason:Qué is used when asking for definitions

New Sentence: Which are the prettiest?

Excelente :) - Kiwi-Girl, Oct 4, 2010

I hope you don't mind me posting a picture for those of us who don't know what a hedgehog is :) - Kiwi-Girl, Oct 4, 2010

Of course not! :) - galsally, Oct 4, 2010

He's so cute!! - Yeser007, Oct 4, 2010

so tiny! - Silvia, Oct 11, 2010

Awww looks like he just woke up! - SenorMike, Oct 14, 2010

Yes, Marie Claire Qué and Cuál are definitely Prickly subjects lol:) - FELIZ77, Oct 14, 2010

he's so cute - lisars14, Oct 20, 2010

Does the following question not work also......Cual es un erizo? - Aodhan, Oct 31, 2010

¡Qué lindo! - sagiia, Nov 6, 2010

Answer 2

Given sentence: Barbara is getting( buying/going to buy) a new puppy. Which one should she choose?

Translated: Barbara va a comprar un nuevo perrito ¿Cuál debe escoger? (eligir)

Reason: Cuál is used to suggest a selection or choice from within a group.

New sentence: I love seeing many different colours What is your favourite colour?

Marie Claire, I found the first part of the sentence very tricky as the word 'get' can mean so many different things in English eg: receive, have, buy, obtain etc...so it was hard to get beneath the surface to perceive the intended meaning and I am a native speaker (!)but not a mind reader lol Having said that, it was a very good sentence, Sanlee !

Could we ask people to be more specific and not use the word get as this exercise is not really about general translation skills but more about Qué vs Cuál ?

Feliz...I also have problems with get.....comprar, conseguir, lograr?! but I think it's really useful that we use each language as naturally as possible so that it helps us to know what to use when we come across these situations in real life. - Ralf_Schnurrbartwachser, Oct 14, 2010

Just my 2 pence worth! - Ralf_Schnurrbartwachser, Oct 14, 2010

I agree Ralph perhaps the person can put the intended meaning in brackets eg get an award(:achieve /obtain) - FELIZ77, Oct 14, 2010

I also have trouble with get.Maybe I should have said, " Barbara is flying out to Ferguson Falls, Minnesota to pick out her puppy. Which one should she choose?" - sanlee, Oct 14, 2010

There is a long story here. Maybe I will tell it when it is over. I am hoping it ends well. Feliz, could you pray for Baraba, please. Thanks. - sanlee, Oct 14, 2010

Yes I have already prayed for you and your hubby and Barbara :) - FELIZ77, Oct 14, 2010

Yes Sanlee, the alternative sentence below is more specific and easier to translate - FELIZ77, Oct 14, 2010

Good - Gekkosan, Oct 14, 2010

Gracias Feliz , y gracias Gekkosan por ayudarnos. - sanlee, Oct 14, 2010

i think you shold get a puppy because they are so cute but then again they can be pain in the neck. my dogs are spoiled to the bone they always want bread every day. - lisars14, Oct 20, 2010

Answer 3

Given sentence: Which are the prettiest?

Translated:¿Cuáles son las más bonitas?

Reason: here have to choose one/few people among others.

New sentence: what kind of books do you prefer to read?

Bien hecho - cuál is used to suggest a selection or choice from among a group. - Kiwi-Girl, Oct 4, 2010

especially when preceding the verb ser :) - Kiwi-Girl, Oct 4, 2010

all about horses - lisars14, Oct 20, 2010

Answer 4

Given:

What is today's date?

Translation:

¿Cuál es la fecha de hoy?

Reason:

I chose "cual" before the verb "ser."

New Sentence:

What is your address?

Gr8 stuff :) - Kiwi-Girl, Oct 4, 2010

That is the exact sentence in my book "Practice Makes Perfect"! Good job, as always! - foxluv, Oct 9, 2010

is it possible to say: ¿Qué día es hoy? ( I know thats changing the orignal text) - saramallorca, Dec 21, 2010

Answer 5

Given:

What should I do to improve my English?

Translated:

¿Qué debo hacer para mejorar mi ingles?

Reason:

qué - general question

New Sentence:

What are your favourite type of scones?

oooops inglés :( forgot the accent - Kiwi-Girl, Oct 14, 2010

Answer 6

¿Que vas a hacer este fin de semana?

Que because thats what I'm used to saying.

New sentence: What should I do to prepare myself to get my english skills better?

qué (with an accent) because it's not a choice between given options but a choice from general categories, could be anything from baking to sky diving :) - Kiwi-Girl, Oct 13, 2010

For the English Hecho I would say - What should I do to improve my English? :) - Kiwi-Girl, Oct 13, 2010

and my answer would be, think up some games to play here on SD the reverse of what we're doing here - then the native English speakers like myself will be happy to join in to help your English improve :) - Kiwi-Girl, Oct 13, 2010

Answer 7

Which of these two wines would you prefer?

Translation: ¿Cuál de estos dos vinos prefieres?

Reason: Choosing between two options.

New sentence: What day is your birthday?

Bien hecho :) - Kiwi-Girl, Oct 4, 2010

Answer 8

This game is realy helpful because you give reasons, and the reasons I cna learn from. Thanks dudes

You're welcome Dewclaw, remember the best way to learn is to have a go - we're all here to learn so will all make mistakes, don't be shy, have a go :) - Kiwi-Girl, Oct 4, 2010

Answer 9

Given: What is your address?

Translated: ¿Cuál es su dirección?

Reason: Cuál before es when not seeking a definition.

New Sentence: Which cake are you going to eat?

Did anyone try your example? - Rey_Mysterio, Oct 4, 2010

Answer 10

Given:

What is your name?

Translation:

¿Cuál es tu nombre?

Reason:

We're not asking for a description of what a name is here and we're using the verb ser - so we're asking "What is your name" (out of all the possibilities out there)?

New Sentence:

What is today's date?

Answer 11

Translation:¿Qué libros prefiéres?

Reason: You have to choose from a range so you use cuál

New Question: What is that?

Qué libros... - 00494d19, Oct 4, 2010

Thanx Heidita - yes that fits into the 'Qué normally is most often used before nouns' category :) - Kiwi-Girl, Oct 4, 2010

Sorry Dewclaw that's a bit of a tricky one but great try :) - Kiwi-Girl, Oct 4, 2010

:( - dewclaw, Oct 4, 2010

cuales - Rey_Mysterio, Oct 4, 2010

Yes I was just reading that in Mexico 'cuål or cuáles is often heard (see 1st point at top)- so perhaps this a case of regional use - in Spain 'cuáles' libros probably sounds wrong and qué libros probably sounds wrong to you Hecho. Any one know for sure? - Kiwi-Girl, Oct 4, 2010

From my book "Practice Makes Perfect" I would say cuales since it is a prepositional phrase "which kinds of books; de los libros" following the interrogative pronoun. - foxluv, Oct 9, 2010

Answer 12

Given sentence:

What is the best time to arrive at your house?

¿Cuál es la mejor hora para de llegar su casa?

Cual es uses before verb ser when not asking for a definition

New sentence:

What are the biggest cities in Spain?

Fine, but it is more natural to say: ¿cuál es la mejor hora para? or ¿cuál es el mejor momento para? - Gekkosan, Oct 21, 2010

Gracias, Gekkosan! - sanlee, Oct 21, 2010

Answer 13

Any rules against digging up a nascent game? I was reviewing things I was still a bit shaky on from last semester, and decided this was one of them.

Given Sentence: (from Kiwi) Which (one) are you looking at? (clue: I'm not asking 'what' are you looking at? )

Translated: ¿Cuál miras?

Reason: Which in English implies a limited group, and Cuál is used to inquire about which from within that group.

New Sentence:Which type of coat or jacket do you prefer?

Nice job :) - Kiwi-Girl, Dec 29, 2012

Answer 14

New Sentence: Which type of coat or jacket do you prefer?

Translated: ¿Cuál tipo de abrigo o chaqueta prefieres?

Reasoning: There is a limited number of types of coat or jacket that one could prefer.

New: What are your favorite dog breeds?

:) - Kiwi-Girl, Dec 29, 2012

Answer 15

Sentence Given:
Which interogative should I use?
Translation:
¿Cuál interrogativo debo usar?
Reason: It's a choice.
New Question:
Which type of meat should I buy turkey or ham?