Que or què?

Question

Hi, in which case do I have to put the accent mark on the word "que"? I can't figure it out

Welcome to SpanishDict. You might want to take advantage of the Free lessons here at SD. Here is the link: http://www.spanishdict.com/learn/courses - rac1, Aug 24, 2014

Please fill out your profile so that we may better help you .Bienvenido al fora , buena suerte amiga. - ray76, Aug 25, 2014

Answer 1

Hello Ibenno,

Welcome to the SpanishDict forum

When you use the word qué as an interrogative pronoun to ask a question you need to place an accent on the é as in the questions below:

Some examples:

¿Qué haces? = What are you doing?

¿Qué hora es? = What time is it?

¿Qué te gusta hacer en tu tiempo libre? = What do you like to do in your spare time?

You also need to use an accent when you are using exclammatory comments (interjectorories) eg ¡Qué genial! = That 's great ¡Qué sorpresa! =What a surprise!

However, when you use the word que as a conjunction or a relative pronoun you don't need an accent!

Some examples:

Conjunction: ¿Puede demostrar que estuvo allí? = Can you prove that you were there?

(Example courtesy of Oxford Spanish Dictionary)

Relative pronoun 'que' : Quiero que me compres un anillo diamante = I want you to buy me a diamond ring.

Please do not feel you have to rush out and buy me one as this is only an example lol

I hope this helps

Thanks mate :) and thanks to everybody, you've been very helpful :) - lbenno, Aug 25, 2014

You are welcome :) - FELIZ77, Aug 25, 2014

Thank you very much for choosing my post as best answer :) - FELIZ77, Aug 25, 2014

Answer 2

Que or Qué (<-- the accent goes the other way.)

qué = when there is a question.

¿Qué hora es?

Answer 3

Also when the que is used as an interjection, ie: ¡Qué bonita casa!

: ) - jphip, Aug 24, 2014

:) - FELIZ77, Aug 24, 2014

Answer 4

Another thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is that you use "que" without an accent when you wish somebody a good day or a good weekend:

¡Que tengas un buen día! Have a good day!

¡Que tengas un buen fin de semana! Have a good weekend!

This is easy to remember because you are basically saying:

(Espero) que tengas un buen día. I hope that you have a good day.