Cual is a relative pronoun meaning “como” (like). Cuál can be an interrogative pronoun or adjective that asks about identity.
In this post we are going to see what are the uses of these two words with examples.
When do we use “cual“?
Cual functions as a relative pronoun and means as or in the same way as.
Example:
“Cada cosa sin engaño se muestra cual es.” (RAE)
(Each thing without deception shows itself to be what it is.)
Está nervioso cual gato enjaulado.
(He is nervous like a caged cat.)
It is also used in the phrase “tal cual“.
Example:
Ella se muestra tal cual es.
(She shows herself as she is.)
Another use, perhaps more common, is accompanied by: la / lo / el + cual. It is used to introduce a relative clause. It can be accompanied by a preposition (de, en, en, a, etc.).
Examples:
Las clases en las cuales estamos inscriptos, comenzarán el mes próximo.
(The classes in which we are enrolled, will begin next month.)
Decidieron mudarse a otro país, lo cual me pareció una idea acertada.
(They decided to move to another country, which seemed like a good idea.)
Javier es el chico del cual te hablé el otro día.
(Javier is the boy I told you about the other day.)
El gobernador dijo que van a construir un nuevo aeropuerto, el cual estará ubicado a 30 kilómetros de la capital.
(The governor said they are going to build a new airport, which will be located 30 kilometers from the capital.)
When do we use “cuál“?
The word cuál with tilde is an interrogative adjective that functions to ask about the identity of people or things in a set, in affirmative sentences.
Examples:
Vamos a viajar a Roma pero no sabemos por cuál aerolínea.
(We are going to travel to Rome but we don’t know which airline.)
Queremos visitar algunas ciudades pero no sabemos cuáles todavía.
(We want to visit some cities but we don’t know which ones yet.)
Dime cuál te gusta más.
(Tell me which one you like best.)
El profesor dijo que iba a cambiar algunos grupos pero no sé cuáles.
(The teacher said he was going to change some groups but I don’t know which ones.)
The other function is of an interrogative pronoun which is also used to ask about the identity of people and/or things in a set that were previously mentioned or are implied.
Examples:
¿Cuáles de los anuncios te parece más apropiado para la campaña?
(Which of the ads do you find most appropriate for the campaign?)
¿Cuál prefieres?
(Which one do you prefer?)
– ¿Cuál de todas las propuestas rechazaron? (- Which of all the proposals did you reject?)
– ¡Qué importa cuál! Rechazaron todas. (- It doesn’t matter which one! They rejected all of them.)
What is the difference between cuál and qué in Spanish questions?
In Spanish, “cuál” and “qué” are both interrogative pronouns that can be translated into English as “what“. However, they are used in different contexts.
“Qué” is used to ask for a definition, explanation, or identification of something. It can be translated as “what” or “which”.
Examples:
¿Qué es esto? (What is this?)
¿Qué película quieres ver? (Which movie do you want to watch?).
On the other hand, “cuál” is used when there is a specific group of options to choose from and the speaker is asking for a selection or preference. It can be translated as “which” or “what”.
Examples:
¿Cuál es tu color favorito? (What is your favorite color? or Which one is your favorite color?).
¿Cuál te gusta más? (Which one do you like best?)
So, while both words can be translated as “what” in English, “qué” is used to ask for a definition or identification, while “cuál” is used to ask for a selection or preference from a specific group of options.
