Does it matter which one you use?

Question

I was just looking through the phrasebook and came across the same phrase said in two different ways but giving the same translation.

How should I know?

1. ¡Qué sé yo!
2. ¿Yo qué se?

One is a question and one is a statement and both have the same words but in a slightly different order (obviously to reflect that one is a statement and the other is a question).

Which would you use, or does it really matter?

Apologies if this seems like a silly question!

Thanks

Should that be ¿Yo qué sé? or they do not have the same words in different order. - 0074b507, Jun 16, 2011

Answer 1

We do the same thing in English.

How should I know! (rhetorical exclamation)

How should I know? (actual question or rhetorical question)

However, Spanish has the ability to make exclamatory questions using ¡? So I wonder what the word syntax would be with ¿!

Thanks Gfreed, that also helps. I keep trying to remind myself to stop thinking about how things are done in English as more often than not things are different! I guess sometimes it's ok to compare!! - Lachicafeliz, Jun 16, 2011

Qfreed's explanation is quite accurate and insightful, actually! - lazarus1907, Jun 16, 2011

I also should have written Q and not G above (need to put some glasses on!). Sorry Qfreed!!! - Lachicafeliz, Jun 16, 2011

Answer 2

"¡Qué sé yo!" stresses the unknown ("qué"), while "¿Yo qué se?" stressed your (¡Yo...!) lack of knowledge, so it is just a matter of perspective and focus. Otherwise, they are the same.

Okay, that's helpful. Thanks Laz - Lachicafeliz, Jun 16, 2011

Answer 3

No questions are "silly" when you are learning

Jeje, I know, but they do seem silly sometimes once you have the answer and it's glaringly obvious! - Lachicafeliz, Jun 16, 2011

:D You had a good question. I wasn't sure myself, so now I know, as well. - SonrisaDelSol, Jun 16, 2011