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QUICK ANSWER
"Quien" is a form of "quien", a pronoun which is often translated as "who". "El que" is a phrase which is often translated as "the one that". Learn more about the difference between "el que" and "quien" below.
el que
A phrase is a group of words commonly used together (e.g., once upon a time).
a. the one that
¿Cuál es tu carro? - El que está estacionado junto al árbol.Which one is your car? - The one that is parked by the tree.
b. whichever
¿Qué camino elijo? - El que elijas te llevará a la aventura.What path should I choose? - Whichever you choose will take you on an adventure.
quien()
A pronoun is a word that stands in for a noun (e.g., she).
1. (relative)
2. (indefinite)
a. anyone
Puedes elegir a quien quieras siempre y cuando levanten la mano.You can choose anyone you like as long as they raise their hand.
