Why cuáles & qué were used here, and not only one for both sentences?

Question

"A ver si puedes identificar qué palabras son masculinas y cuáles son femeninas"

qué was first used then cuáles. Why not both of them are qué or cuáles?

Answer 1

The way I think about it is this:

When wanting to use the equivalent of the English word "which", "qué" is typically followed by a noun, in this case, "palabras". And it is always "qué", when asking about something singular or plural.

However, "cuál" y "cuáles" are typically followed by a verb, in this case, "son". And since you are looking for "which words (plural) are feminine, "cuáles" was used).

Otros ejemplos:

Qué color te gusta más? (followed by a noun)

Cuál es tu color favorito? (followed by a verb - looking for a singular answer)

Cuáles son tus colores favoritos? (followed by a verb - looking for a plural answer)

Fíjate que digo "typically". Ciertamente hay excepciones.

nice job :) - Kiwi-Girl, Jun 12, 2013

Gracias! Y supongo que tu comentario significa que tengo razón. Me alegro! :) - Tosh, Jun 12, 2013

Very convincing. - annierats, Jun 12, 2013

Answer 2

I've no idea - I think it should be cuáles in both cases.

As it would be in English. - which.

No, different language, different usage. - annierats, Jun 12, 2013

Answer 3

So asking in English:

Let's see if you can identify what colors are masculine and and which are femenines" , wouldn't be correct?

In my opinion NO :) both choices are from a limited or (known list) - ian-hill, Jun 12, 2013

I give youmy vote, although, in my humble opinion, as a viking, you could use whichever you preferred. - annierats, Jun 12, 2013

Interesting, because In Spanish you could go with both "cuales" or the way I wrote it. According to me, that is. :) - chileno, Jun 12, 2013