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"Que" is a form of "que", a conjunction which is often translated as "that". "Al que" is a phrase which is often translated as "who". Learn more about the difference between "que" and "al que" below.
que(
keh
)A conjunction is a word that connects words, phrases, clauses, or sentences (e.g., The cat and the dog slept.).
a. that
Tenga en cuenta que algunas de estas características son diferentes.Note that some of these characteristics are different.
a. than
Es más barato comprar el libro en la librería que comprarlo online.It's cheaper to buy the book in the bookshop than to buy it online.
Mi hermano es más alto que yo.My brother is taller than me.
b. to
Prefiero las tiendas pequeñas que los grandes supermercados.I prefer small stores to big supermarkets.
A pronoun is a word that stands in for a noun (e.g., she).
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.
