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qué. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
qué, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
qué in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
qué you have here. The definition of the word
qué will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
qué, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
Asturian
Etymology
From Latin quid.
Adverb
qué
- what (such)
Pronoun
qué
- (interrogative) what (interrogative pronoun)
Related terms
French
Pronunciation
Adjective
qué
- (Provence) which
Conjunction
qué
- (nonstandard) Alternative form of que (representing the Hispanic pronunciation) (clarification of this definition is needed)
Interjection
qué
- (Provence, Switzerland) Isn’t it? Is it not?
- (Provence) What?
Mandarin
Romanization
qué (que2, Zhuyin ㄑㄩㄝˊ)
- Hanyu Pinyin reading of 瘸
Occitan
Etymology
From Old Occitan que, from Latin quid, but also usurping some of the roles of Latin quod.
Pronunciation
Adjective
qué
- which
- Synonyms: quin, qual
Pronoun
qué
- (interrogative) what
- that, that which
Portuguese
Pronunciation
Interjection
qué
- Alternative form of quá quá
Spanish
Etymology
Inherited from Latin quid.
Pronunciation
Determiner
qué (interrogative)
- what; which (interrogative only)
¿Qué camisa quiere?- Which shirt do you want?
- what; which
No sabía qué hacer- I didn't know what to do
Adverb
qué
- (before a noun) what a; such (used as an intensifier)
- ¡Qué lástima! ― What a pity!
- ¡Qué suerte! ― What luck!
- ¡Qué casa más bonita! ― What a pretty house!
- ¡Qué mierda de tiempo! ― What shitty weather!
- (before an adjective) how (used as a modifier to indicate surprise, delight, or other strong feelings)
- ¡Qué feo! ― How ugly!
- ¡Qué alto! ― He's so tall!
- ¡Qué guay! ― That's so cool!
Pronoun
qué
- what (interrogative only)
- ¿Qué ves? ― What do you see?
Usage notes
- There are certain times where cuál would translate as "what" in English and qué would translate as "which". This can confuse English speakers.
Here are some guidelines:
- If you are using a form of the verb ser, then unless you are asking the definition or meaning of something, you would use cuál even if in English, one would translate it as "what"
¿Cuál es su nombre?- What is your name?
¿Cuál es el problema aquí?- What is the problem here?
- If in English, the interrogative pronoun "what" or "which" is operating as an adjective preceding the modified noun, then you would use qué and not cuál even if in English you might translate it as "which"
¿Qué medicamentos ha tomado en el pasado, señor?- Which medications have you taken in the past, sir?
¿Qué pobre señorita ha capturado tu corazón esta vez?- Which poor young lady has captured your heart this time?
¿Qué color de la pintura prefieres para las paredes del baño, rosa o marrón?- Which color of paint do you prefer for the bathroom walls, pink or brown?
Derived terms
Related terms
See also
Further reading
Vietnamese
Pronunciation
Noun
qué • (㹟, 𤡱)
- poultry
See also