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¿qué? means what? — a common term in Essential Spanish. Learn how it's used in a real-world example.

📅 Published: August 22, 2025

📘 Essential Spanish

¿qué?

question • /[KEH]/

what?

Example:

¿Qué hora es?

What time is it?

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🧠 What does ¿qué? mean?

The Spanish word '¿qué?' means 'what?' in English. It's a fundamental question word used to ask for information about things, ideas, or actions. It's incredibly versatile and used in countless everyday situations. Remember to use both the opening upside-down question mark (¿) and the closing regular question mark (?) in written Spanish.

📚 Extra examples

  • ¿Qué hora es?
    What time is it?
  • ¿Qué haces?
    What are you doing?
  • ¿Qué es eso?
    What is that?
  • ¿Qué quieres comer?
    What do you want to eat?
  • ¿Qué te gusta hacer en tu tiempo libre?
    What do you like to do in your free time?

❓ FAQ

How do you say 'what?' in Spanish?
The Spanish word for 'what?' is '¿qué?'.
How do you pronounce '¿qué?' in Spanish?
It's pronounced 'keh,' with a short 'e' sound, similar to 'bed' in English. The emphasis is on the 'e'.
How do you use '¿qué?' in a sentence?
You use '¿qué?' at the beginning of a question, followed by the rest of the sentence. For example: '¿Qué quieres?' (What do you want?). Remember to include both upside-down and regular question marks.
What is the English translation of '¿qué?'?
The English translation of '¿qué?' is 'what?'.
Does '¿qué?' change for gender or number?
No, '¿qué?' remains the same regardless of gender or number.
Is '¿qué?' common in everyday Spanish?
Yes, '¿qué?' is extremely common and essential in everyday Spanish conversation.
Does '¿qué?' have slang or double meanings?
While '¿qué?' itself doesn't have slang or double meanings, its meaning can change slightly depending on the context and intonation, much like 'what?' in English. For example, '¿Qué?' said with a sharp tone can express surprise or disbelief.
Is '¿qué?' used differently in Spain vs Latin America?
The usage of '¿qué?' is generally the same across Spain and Latin America. There might be minor regional variations in pronunciation, but the core meaning and grammatical function remain consistent.

💡 Did You Know?

The upside-down question mark (¿) is a unique feature of written Spanish. It signals the beginning of a question and helps clarify the speaker's intent, particularly in long sentences.

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