vs
QUICK ANSWER
"El que" is a phrase which is often translated as "the one that", and "quienquiera" is a pronoun which is often translated as "whoever". Learn more about the difference between "el que" and "quienquiera" 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.
quienquiera()
A pronoun is a word that stands in for a noun (e.g., she).
1. (indefinite)
a. whoever
Quienquiera que te contara esa historia está mintiendo.Whoever told you that story is lying.