Como, Que, Donde, etc-- When to Use Accents??

Question

I'm a fairly advanced student. I totally get that accents belong on words like "como, que, and donde" when these words are used in a question: ¿Qué día es? ¿Cómo estás? ¿Dónde econtraste eso suéter fabuloso? etc... (Yeah, those are easy sentences, but bear with me.)

I'm always hesitant when I have to type sentences like "The place where I got that fabulous sweater is..." or "That's just how I am." Accent? No accent? Oh, I also completely get the use of "lo que"... so I guess "Qué" isn't such a big barrier to my learning.

Examples would be great if you can't explain something super well

Please don't answer unless you're positive (sorry!). Also, I don't need basic examples of accents used with question words like I listed first. That I've got.

Thanks for your answers!!

Also, a sentence in particular that I'm typing right now is "Yo no sé nada de como parezco a primera vista"... Como=accent or not?? - pianoviola, Sep 15, 2012

quick correction, * ese suéter - Azabache, Sep 16, 2012

haha, thank you :) :) - pianoviola, Sep 16, 2012

Answer 1

Two examples where you need the accents are:

1. on qué for exclamatory phrases that mean 'How ....!

eg. Qué interesante! How interesting! Qué lindo. How lovely. etc

1. as in your example in your comments for indirect questions

No sé cómo se llama. I don't know what her name is.

Answer 2

The simplest general rule is - use the accent if the word is used in a question -

and as Kiwi says in her answer.

Answer 3

I hope I can help you with something with this example: To easily learn the basic rules of accents is important to know in which part of the stressed syllable word, ie the syllable on which the accent goes. In Spanish orthography lso there are four cases which are:

Accents in monosyllabic words. The words have one syllable accent are not, except in cases of diacritical accent.

Examples: month, sun, and, are, given, script.

Accents in polysyllables. The accent in polysyllabic words are applied according to the same are sharp, flat, or sobreesdrújulas esdrújulas.

Acute accentuation. The sharp words are those carrying the stressed syllable in last place. They must carry the tick if they end in consonants nosy are not preceded by another consonant. They also accent if they end in a vowel.

Example: song, I will run, why beat.

Accentuation flat. The plain words, also called severe, are those which have the stressed syllable in penultimate place. The same accents in the following cases: - When end in a consonant other than us, or the digraph ch.

Example: clover, Bolivar, dollar lawn referendum.

Esdrújulas word stress. The proparoxytones are those with the stressed syllable in penultimate place. Such words always accents.

Example: fast, analysis, spatula, ecstasy.

Sobreesdrújulas word stress.

Sobreesdrújulas Words are those with the stressed syllable in the syllable that is before the penultimate place. Like esdrújulas, these words always accents.

Example: cómpramelo, recomiéndasela, imagínesemelas, ordénaselo.