Cual or que?

Question

I always get que and cual mixed up in certain cases. Is there some kind of rule to this or do I just have to intuitively know which one to use?

Why is it:

¿Cuál es el sueldo?

Instead of:

¿Qué es el sueldo?

Thanks!

Great question, Linda. - --Mariana--, Aug 1, 2012

Answer 1

Good question and one which does cause a lot of problems. For example when used with the verb ser, cuál and qué can both mean "what," but, they are not interchangeable. Cuál is more common, and as Ian says it is used to indicate a selection, or choice of possibilities. Qué is used to elicit a definition or an explanation.

¿Cuál es la capital de España? - What is the capital of Spain?

¿Qué es la capital? - What is the (definition of) capital?

So in your example,

¿Cuál es el sueldo? - What's the salary?

¿Qué es el sueldo? - What does salary mean?

Answer 2

Cuál = which

Qué = what

In English "which" is used if you have a list to choose from or just a few options.

What is your name?

Which name do like best?

Answer 3

I agree with all the answers here. I just want to add that "cual" usually follows the verb "ser" and when you have a selection of certain items---

¿Cuál es tu nombre?

¿Cuáles le gustan más de los cinco?

Answer 4

While all the answers concerning "cuál" and "qué" are valid, for asking a question about "sueldo" or "salario," it´s also very common to use "cuánto."

Answer 5

Use "qué" when you are looking for a definition.

"¿Qué es una opinión?"

Use "cuál" when asking general questions or opinions.

"¿Cuál es tu opinión?"