Spanish Question Structure

Question

Hello everyone

I am looking at some Spanish Question Structure and I saw this structure

¿ Question word(s) + verb + (subject if expressed) + rest of sentence ?

The structure clearly tells that verb will go after ¿ Question word(s) and then (subject if expressed) But why in the phrase how old are you, the verb Tener is placed at the end of the phrase ? and probably some others too

Cuántos años tienes ?

I know there is a topic about spanish questions but I did not find any answers for my question.

Thanks

Welcome to SD. Thank you for completing your SD profile. - ian-hill, Aug 3, 2016

no worries mate :-) - danghuynh, Aug 4, 2016

Answer 1

There are two types of questions. "yes or no" questions, and information questions.

The information question, you already know.

What grade did you get on the test? In Spanish that would be (Question word+verb+subject if expressed-and any direct/indirect objects+rest of the sentence.

"¿Qué nota sacaste (tú) en la prueba?

Here's a question using direct and indirect object pronouns.

(We're talking about a gift you are supposed to send to your brother)

"¿Cuándo se lo mandas? When are you sending it to him?

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"Yes or no" questions can be done in several ways.

In writing you can just make a statement and put question marks around it.

EX. "¿Este es un ejemplo?" This is an example?

Or using a different English sentence there are four possibilities.

Does Julia sing in the church choir?

(1) ¿Julia canta en el coro de la iglesia? (When saying this raise your voice on the last word.)

Now with the verb coming first.

(2) "¿Canta Julia en el coro de la iglesia?"

Shifting the subject further towards the end.

(3) "¿Canta en el coro de la iglesia Julia?"

And finally with a "confirmation tag"

(4) "Julia canta el coro de la iglesia, ¿No?"

typo , Dani eJemplo (eXemplo) ¿Este es un exemplo?" This is an example? - FELIZ77, Aug 3, 2016

Gracias, I'll fix it. - Daniela2041, Aug 3, 2016

Answer 2

Usually Spanish questions are formed from statements.

Example:

This is a question. - Esta es una pregunta.

Is this a question? - ¿Es esta una pregunta?

The intonation of the spoken words make the question.

It rises towards the end of the sentence if it is a question.

Click here for some more information.

Answer 3

To add to what Ian said:

This is a question. - Esta es una pregunta.

Is this a question? - ¿Es esta una pregunta?

Just as in English, it is not necessary to change the word order to form a question, tone alone can do it:

¿Esta es una pregunta?

This is a question?

Say it with the right tone and it is a question.

In your example your word order is followed:

¿ Question word(s) = Cuántos años

• verb= tienes

  • (subject if expressed)= tú (not expressed)

  • rest of sentence ?= non-existant (could be like ahora= now, I suppose, but that is implicit)

Here "años" is a direct object. "Cuántos is acting as an adjective." Direct objects precede conjugated verbs. - Daniela2041, Aug 3, 2016

thanks everyone, I got it - danghuynh, Aug 4, 2016