Question Words

1. ¿Qué?

   What?

   Usage

   The shortest question word; pair it with pointing

   Grammar Note

   Question words carry an accent; unaccented "que" is a relative pronoun

2. ¿Dónde?

   Where?

   Usage

   Asks for a place; add a place name and you are understood

3. ¿Cuándo?

   When?

   Usage

   For departure times or opening times

4. ¿Quién?

   Who?

   Usage

   Asks about a person, e.g. who is in charge

5. ¿Por qué?

   Why?

   Usage

   Asks for a reason, e.g. a delay or a refusal

   Grammar Note

   Written as two words; the single word "porque" means "because"

6. ¿Cómo?

   How?

   Usage

   Asks for a method, including how to get somewhere

7. ¿Cuántos?

   How many?

   Usage

   Asks for a count of items or people

   Grammar Note

   Masculine form; use "¿Cuántas?" with feminine nouns

8. ¿Cuánto cuesta?

   How much is it?

   Usage

   The key price question, in markets and shops alike

9. ¿Cuál?

   Which one?

   Usage

   Used to pick from, or point at, a set of options

   Grammar Note

   Plural "¿Cuáles?"; before a noun, "¿Qué...?" sounds more natural

10. ¿Qué es esto?

    What is this?

    Usage

    Point at a dish or product and ask what it is

11. ¿Dónde está el baño?

    Where is the toilet?

    Usage

    One of the most-used questions on any trip

    Grammar Note

    In Spain "el servicio" or "los aseos" is more usual than "el baño"

12. ¿Qué hora es?

    What time is it?

    Usage

    Asks the current time, handy when making a connection

13. ¿Tiene?

    Do you have it?

    Usage

    Asks about stock or availability; name the item first

    Grammar Note

    The "usted" form; add the item: "¿Tiene un mapa?"

14. ¿Se puede?

    Is it possible? / May I?

    Usage

    Asks whether something is possible or allowed

    Grammar Note

    An impersonal way to ask if something is allowed; "¿Puede?" asks about the person

15. ¿Hay que pagar?

    Is there a charge?

    Usage

    Check whether luggage storage, Wi-Fi, etc. costs money

16. ¿Es gratis?

    Is it free?

    Usage

    Confirms something is free, e.g. samples or a map

17. ¿Está bien?

    Is this OK?

    Usage

    Asks for permission; pair it with pointing

18. ¿No se puede?

    Is it not allowed?

    Usage

    Used to double-check after being turned down

19. ¿Se encuentra bien?

    Are you OK?

    Usage

    Used to check on someone's wellbeing — a different role from "¿Está bien?" (asking permission)

    Grammar Note

    The polite "usted" form; with friends say "¿Estás bien?"

20. ¿De verdad?

    Really?

    Usage

    A short reaction confirming something surprising

21. ¿Está seguro?

    Are you sure?

    Usage

    Presses for confirmation of a fact — more formal than "¿De verdad?"

    Grammar Note

    Masculine form; for a woman say "¿Está segura?"

22. ¿De dónde es usted?

    Where are you from?

    Usage

    A classic conversation starter

23. ¿Cómo se llama?

    What's your name?

    Usage

    A classic conversation starter

    Grammar Note

    The polite "usted" form; with friends say "¿Cómo te llamas?"

24. ¿Cuántos años tiene?

    How old are you?

    Usage

    Asking someone's age at a first meeting can come across as intrusive; better saved until you know them a little

25. ¿Podemos tomarnos una foto juntos?

    Can we take a photo together?

    Usage

    Asks for permission to take a photo together

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