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"Al que" is a phrase which is often translated as "who", and "del que" is a phrase which is often translated as "from which". Learn more about the difference between "al que" and "del que" below.
al que(
ahl
keh
)A phrase is a group of words commonly used together (e.g., once upon a time).
1. (general)
a. who
El hombre al que conocí en el congreso es un investigador de renombre.The man who I met at the conference is a renowned researcher.
b. that
No sé quién era el tipo al que vi ayer con Antonia.I don't know who the guy that I saw with Antonia yesterday was.
c. who...to
El empleado al que le di mi número de teléfono se equivocó al escribirloThe employee who I gave my phone number to made a mistake when writing it down.
d. that...to
¿Averiguaste si necesitas visa para entrar al país al que viajarás?Did you ask if you need a visa to enter the country that you're traveling to?
e. which
El perrito, al que le dicen Pepe, es un caniche.The puppy, which they call Pepe, is a poodle.
f. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
El hombre al que acusaron es inocente.The man they charged is innocent.
El cantante al que llaman "El griego" es en realidad mexicano.The singer they call "The Greek" is in fact Mexican.
g. to which
El grupo al que se aplicará la norma se definirá con posterioridad.The group to which the regulation will be applied will be defined later on.
h. to whom
El hombre al que le entregué el paquete es mi tío.The man to whom I handed the parcel is my uncle.
del que(
dehl
keh
)A phrase is a group of words commonly used together (e.g., once upon a time).
1. (masculine) (singular) (used to talk about origin or cause)
A word or phrase that is masculine (e.g., el libro).
A word or phrase that is singular (e.g., el gato).
a. from which
El pirata abrió un cofre del que sacó un puñado de monedas de oro.The pirate opened a chest from which he produced a handful of golden coins.
b. of which
El mal del que murió era desconocido en aquel entonces.The illness of which he died was unknown back then.
c. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
El árbol consiste en un tronco grueso del que salen multitud de delgadas ramas.The tree consists of a thick trunk out of which come numerous thin branches.
El pueblo del que soy está en las montañas y es muy pequeño.The village I come from is in the mountains and it's very small.
2. (masculine) (singular) (used to talk about possession, material, content)
A word or phrase that is masculine (e.g., el libro).
A word or phrase that is singular (e.g., el gato).
a. of which
Ha llegado el momento de que me demuestres ese amor del que siempre hablas, ¿o son solo palabras vacías?It's time for you to show me that love of which you're always speaking, or is it just empty words?
b. of whom
Mi hermano, del que no he sabido nada en años, está enfadado conmigo por la herencia de mis padres.My brother, of whom I haven't heard for years, is angry with me because of my parents' inheritance.
c. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Cuando yo era muy pequeño, mis abuelos tenían un perro del que todavía me acuerdo.I still remember a dog my grandparents used to have when I was very little.
El material del que está hecha la mochila es muy resistente.The material the backpack is made of is very strong.
