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Whether you're planning a trip to a Spanish-speaking country or visiting a local Spanish restaurant, knowing how to order food in Spanish is an essential skill. This comprehensive guide covers everything from making a reservation to paying the bill.
When calling to make a reservation, here's what you'll need:
¿En qué puedo ayudarle? A continuación debes indicar el número de personas que iréis a cenar, a qué hora iréis y en ocasiones podéis decir qué mesa preferís. Quería hacer una reserva para dos esta noche a las nueve.
How can I help you? Next, you must indicate the number of people who will go to dine, at what time you will go and, on [certain] occasions, you can say which table you prefer. I wanted to make a reservation for two tonight at nine.
Captions 7-12, Raquel Reserva de Restaurante
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- Hola, quisiera hacer una reserva/reservación (Hello, I would like to make a reservation)
- Para esta noche (For tonight)
- Para dos/tres/cuatro personas (For two/three/four people)
- ¿Tienen mesa libre? (Do you have a table available?)
- La reserva/reservación está a nombre de... (The reservation is under the name...)
- ¿Tienen disponibilidad entre las ocho y las nueve? (Do you have availability between eight and nine?)
- Preferiblemente una mesa junto a la ventana (Preferably a table by the window)
- ¿Es necesario dejar un depósito? (Is a deposit necessary?)
- Necesito modificar/cancelar mi reserva/reservación (I need to modify/cancel my reservation)
- ¿Tienen algún menú especial esta noche? (Do you have any special menu tonight?)
When you first arrive, you'll need these greeting phrases:
Muy buenas tardes, ¿mesa para uno? Sí, por favor. Tome asiento por favor. Gracias.
[Very] good afternoon, [a] table for one? Yes, please. Take a seat please. Thanks.
Captions 8-11, Cata y Cleer En el restaurante
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- Buenos días/tardes/noches (Good morning/afternoon/evening)
- Tengo una reserva/reservación (I have a reservation)
- Mesa para dos/tres/cuatro (Table for two/three/four)
- Sin reserva/reservación (Without reservation)
- Disculpe, tengo una reserva/reservación a nombre de... (Excuse me, I have a reservation under...)
- ¿Hay mucha espera? (Is there a long wait?)
- Somos parte del grupo de... (We're part of the group of...)
- ¿Podemos esperar en el bar? (Can we wait at the bar?)
- ¿Está el restaurante completo? (Is the restaurant full?)
Once they're showing you to your table:
Eh... ¿Me puede traer agua por favor? Claro, ¿embotellada o de la llave? De la llave está bien. Entonces, eh... la voy a dejar un momento para que mire el menú
Um... Can you bring me water please? Of course, bottled or tap? Tap is fine. So, um... I am going to leave you for a moment so that you can look at the menu
Captions 15-19, Cata y Cleer En el restaurante
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- ¿Podemos sentarnos allí? (Can we sit there?)
- Aquí está bien (Here is fine)
- Mesa para no fumadores (Non-smoking table)
- Junto a la ventana (By the window)
- ¿Podría traernos una silla alta para el bebé? (Could you bring us a high chair for the baby?)
- Necesitamos más espacio (We need more space)
- ¿Tienen una mesa más tranquila? (Do you have a quieter table?)
- Preferiríamos una mesa interior/exterior (We would prefer an indoor/outdoor table)
Time to review the menu options:
¿Puedo ver el menú por favor? Claro, por supuesto. Aquí lo tiene.
Can I see the menu please? Sure, of course. Here you have it.
Captions 12-13, Cata y Cleer En el restaurante
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- La carta, por favor (The menu, please)
- ¿Tienen menú del día? (Do you have a daily menu?)
- ¿Cuál es el especial? (What's the special?)
- Necesito unos minutos (I need a few minutes)
- ¿Tienen el menú en inglés? (Do you have the menu in English?)
- ¿Qué incluye el menú completo? (What does the complete menu include?)
- ¿Me puede explicar este plato? (Could you explain this dish?)
- ¿Tienen sugerencias del chef? (Do you have chef's suggestions?)
- ¿Cuál es la especialidad de la casa? (What's the house specialty?)
Here's how to have a natural conversation about food choices with your dining companions:
¿Sabes? Antes de pensar en los postres, deberíamos pensar en la entrada. ¿Qué te gustaría comer? Ah... No sé, me encantan los aros de cebolla. ¿A ti? A mí los deditos de pescado y también los deditos de mantequilla; son deliciosos. Sí, son muy ricos.
You know? Before thinking about the desserts, we should think about the appetizer. What would you like to eat? Oh... I don't know, I love onion rings. You? I love fish sticks and also butter fingers [a type of pastry]; they are delicious. Yes, they are very delicious.
Captions 54-60, Sofy y Caro Comida en un restaurante
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- ¿Qué tienes ganas de comer? (What do you feel like eating?)
- ¿Ya sabes qué vas a pedir? (Do you know what you're going to order?)
- ¿Qué te apetece? (What appeals to you?)
- ¿Quieres compartir algo? (Do you want to share something?)
- ¿Te gustaría pedir un poco de vino? (Would you like to order some wine?)
- ¿Qué quieres tomar? (What would you like to drink?)
- ¿Pedimos una botella para compartir? (Shall we order a bottle to share?)
- ¿Prefieres tinto o blanco? (Do you prefer red or white?)
- ¿Qué tal si probamos...? (How about we try...?)
- He escuchado que aquí... (I've heard that here...)
- ¿Te parece si pedimos...? (What do you think about ordering...?)
- Podríamos compartir... (We could share...)
Don't hesitate to ask about unfamiliar dishes:
¿Está lista? ¿Ya sabe lo que le gustaría ordenar? Todavía estoy tratando de decidir. ¿Tiene alguna pregunta? Sí, ehm... ¿La lasaña tiene carne? Sí, tiene carne de res.
Are you ready? Do you know what you would like to order yet? I'm still trying to decide. Do you have any questions? Yes, um... Does the lasagna have meat? Yes, it has beef.
Captions 25-30, Cata y Cleer En el restaurante
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- ¿Qué lleva este plato? (What's in this dish?)
- ¿Es picante? (Is it spicy?)
- ¿Es grande la porción? (Is the portion big?)
- ¿Qué acompañamientos tiene? (What sides does it come with?)
- Soy alérgico/a a... (I'm allergic to...)
- ¿Tienen opciones vegetarianas/veganas? (Do you have vegetarian/vegan options?)
- ¿Cómo está preparado? (How is it prepared?)
- ¿Se puede hacer sin...? (Can it be made without...?)
- ¿Los mariscos son frescos? (Is the seafood fresh?)
Now it's time to order:
¿Tiene algún platillo con pollo bajo en calorías? Sí, tenemos una ensalada del chef que tiene pollo. Mmm... Eso suena muy bien. ¿Puedo ordenarla sin cebolla y con el aderezo aparte? Por supuesto.
Do you have any low-calorie chicken dish? Yes, we have a chef's salad that has chicken. Mmm... That sounds great. Can I order it without onions and with the dressing on the side? Of course.
Captions 41-45, Cata y Cleer En el restaurante
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- Para mí... (For me...)
- Quiero... (I want...)
- Para beber... (To drink...)
- De postre... (For dessert...)
- ¿Me puede traer la carne poco/muy hecha? (Can you bring the meat rare/well done?)
- Sin/Con... (Without/With...)
- El aderezo/la salsa aparte (Dressing/sauce on the side)
- Primero queremos compartir... (First we want to share...)
- ¿Puede recomendar un vino? (Can you recommend a wine?)
When you're ready to finish:
Mesera, ¿puede traerme la cuenta por favor? Gracias.
Waitress, can you bring me the check, please? Thank you.
Captions 49-50, Natalia de Ecuador Ordenar en un restaurante
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- La cuenta, por favor (The check, please)
- ¿Aceptan tarjetas? (Do you accept cards?)
- ¿Pueden dividir la cuenta? (Can you split the check?)
- Gracias, estuvo delicioso (Thank you, it was delicious)
- ¿Está incluido el servicio? (Is service included?)
- ¿Me puede explicar la cuenta? (Can you explain the bill?)
- Hay un error en la cuenta (There's an error in the bill)
- ¿Puedo pagar en efectivo/con tarjeta? (Can I pay in cash/with card?)
- Quédese con el cambio (Keep the change)
- ¿Puedo hacer una reserva? - Can I make a reservation?
- Quisiera reservar una mesa - I would like to reserve/book a table
- Para esta noche/mañana - For tonight/tomorrow
- ¿A qué hora tienen disponibilidad? - What time do you have availability?
- Mesa para [número] personas - Table for [number] of people
- A nombre de... - Under the name of...
- ¿Tienen mesas disponibles? - Do you have tables available?
- ¿Hay que hacer reserva? - Do we need to make a reservation?
- Buenos días/tardes/noches - Good morning/afternoon/evening
- Tengo una reserva a nombre de... - I have a reservation under...
- Sin reserva - Without reservation
- ¿Hay mucha espera? - Is there a long wait?
- ¿Podemos esperar en el bar? - Can we wait at the bar?
- ¿Está el restaurante completo? - Is the restaurant full?
- Somos parte del grupo de... - We're part of the group of...
- ¿Podemos sentarnos allí? - Can we sit there?
- Junto a la ventana, por favor - By the window, please
- En la terraza/al aire libre - On the terrace/outside
- Mesa para no fumadores - Non-smoking table
- ¿Tienen una mesa más tranquila? - Do you have a quieter table?
- Necesitamos una silla alta para el bebé - We need a high chair for the baby
- Preferiríamos una mesa interior - We would prefer an indoor table
- Para beber quisiera... - To drink I would like...
- ¿Qué vinos tienen? - What wines do you have?
- Una botella de... - A bottle of...
- Agua con/sin gas - Sparkling/still water
- ¿Tienen bebidas sin alcohol? - Do you have non-alcoholic drinks?
- Un café solo/con leche - Black coffee/coffee with milk
- ¿Me puede traer más agua? - Can you bring me more water?
- ¿Puedo ver la carta/el menú? - Can I see the menu?
- ¿Tienen menú del día? - Do you have a daily menu?
- ¿Cuál es el especial de hoy? - What's today's special?
- ¿Qué me recomienda? - What do you recommend?
- ¿Tienen el menú en inglés? - Do you have the menu in English?
- Necesito unos minutos más - I need a few more minutes
- ¿Cuál es la especialidad de la casa? - What's the house specialty?
- ¿Qué contiene este plato? - What does this dish contain?
- ¿Es picante? - Is it spicy?
- ¿Cómo está preparado? - How is it prepared?
- ¿Es grande la porción? - Is the portion big?
- ¿Qué acompañamientos tiene? - What sides does it come with?
- ¿Los mariscos son frescos? - Is the seafood fresh?
- ¿Se puede hacer sin...? - Can it be made without...?
- Soy alérgico/a a... - I'm allergic to...
- No como... - I don't eat...
- Soy vegetariano/a - I'm vegetarian
- Soy vegano/a - I'm vegan
- Sin gluten, por favor - Gluten-free, please
- ¿Tienen opciones sin lácteos? - Do you have dairy-free options?
- ¿Pueden prepararlo sin...? - Can you prepare it without...?
- Estoy listo/a para ordenar - I'm ready to order
- Para empezar... - To start...
- De primer plato... - For the first course...
- De segundo... - For the second course...
- Para mí... - For me...
- Quisiera... - I would like...
- Lo mismo para mí - The same for me
- Sin cebolla/ajo - Without onion/garlic
- La carne poco/muy hecha - The meat rare/well done
- El aderezo/la salsa aparte - Dressing/sauce on the side
- Con extra... - With extra...
- ¿Puede cambiarse la guarnición? - Can the side dish be changed?
- Sin sal/azúcar - Without salt/sugar
- Tibio/caliente, por favor - Warm/hot, please
- ¿Me puede traer...? - Can you bring me...?
- Falta... - We're missing...
- Necesitamos más... - We need more...
- ¿Pueden rellenar los vasos? - Can you refill the glasses?
- La comida está fría/caliente - The food is cold/hot
- Esto no es lo que pedí - This isn't what I ordered
- Está delicioso - It's delicious
- La cuenta, por favor - The check, please
- ¿Puede traerme la cuenta? - Can you bring me the bill?
- ¿Aceptan tarjetas? - Do you accept cards?
- ¿Pueden dividir la cuenta? - Can you split the check?
- ¿Está incluido el servicio? - Is service included?
- Hay un error en la cuenta - There's an error in the bill
- Quédese con el cambio - Keep the change
- Gracias - Thank you
- Por favor - Please
- Con permiso - Excuse me
- Disculpe - Excuse me (to get attention)
- Buen provecho - Enjoy your meal
- Estuvo delicioso - It was delicious
- Hasta luego - See you later
That's it for today's complete guide on how to order food in Spanish! Whether you're dining in Spain or Latin America, these essential Spanish restaurant phrases will help you handle any dining situation with confidence. Practice these expressions before your next visit to a Spanish-speaking restaurant - they're your key to a smooth dining experience. Remember, learning how to order food in Spanish takes practice, so don't be afraid to use these phrases whenever you can. Don't forget to write us with your questions and comments!
If you find yourself a bit lost in a Spanish-speaking country or simply need to know where the closest restaurant, train station, landmark, etc., is located, it's important to know how to ask for directions in Spanish. Today's lesson will teach you some important phrases and vocabulary for doing so.
To approach a stranger, you might say some polite equivalent of "Excuse me," like Permiso, Disculpe or Mande in certain countries, or perhaps some greeting like Hola (Hello) or Buenos días (Good Morning), Buenas tardes (Good afternoon) or Buenas noches (Good evening), depending upon the time of day. We also recommend that, of the many ways to say "you" in Spanish, you choose the more formal one: usted, and/or address the person as señor (sir), señora (ma'am) or señorita (miss). Armed with this information, let's learn some fixed expressions that you could use as openers, all of which essentially mean "Can/could you tell me...?"
¿(Usted) me puede/podría decir...?
¿(Usted) me puede/podría indicar...?
¿(Usted) me puede/podría señalar...?
Now let's hear one of the aforementioned phrases connected to a typical way to ask about the location of something in Spanish:
Eh... ¿Me puede decir dónde está la calle Güemes?
Um... Can you tell me where Güemes Street is?
Caption 33, Español para principiantes Saludos y encuentros
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As we hear, ¿Dónde está(n)...? (Where is/are...?) is one of the most common ways to ask about location in Spanish. Let's learn some more useful phrases to do so:
¿Cómo llego a...? (How do I get to...?)
¿Hay un/a... cerca de aquí? (Is there a... around here?)
¿Sabe si está por aquí...? (Do you know if... is around here?)
¿Cuál es la mejor forma de llegar/ir a...? (What's the best way to get to...?)
Busco/Estoy buscando... (I'm looking for...)
¿Me puede mostrar en el mapa...? (Can you show me on the map...?)
Now, let's hear some of these, on their own or in combination, in action:
Disculpe, ¿hay un aeropuerto por aquí?
Excuse me, is there an airport around here?
Caption 11, Curso de español ¿Disculpe, hay un aeropuerto por aquí?
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Eh... ¿Podría decirme cómo llegar al aeropuerto?
Um... Could you tell me how to get to the airport?
Caption 13, Curso de español ¿Disculpe, hay un aeropuerto por aquí?
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Por cierto, ¿cómo llego a la cascada?
By the way, how do I get to the waterfall?
Caption 69, Aprendiendo con Priscilla Pidiendo direcciones
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¿Usted sabe dónde está el museo del Prado? Usted.
Do you [formal] know where the Prado Museum is? "Usted."
Caption 15, Fundamentos del Español 6 - Tú y Usted
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Next, let's learn some useful vocabulary in anticipation of some answers we might receive upon asking for directions in Spanish.
Let's start with the basic directions, right and left, as well as the cardinal and ordinal directions in Spanish:
la izquierda: left
la derecha: right
el norte: north
el sur: south
el este: east
el oeste: west
el noreste/nordeste: the northeast
el noroeste: the northwest
el sudeste/sureste: the southeast
el sudoeste/suroeste: the southwest
Note that when indicating directions, these words are usually used with the prepositions a (to) or hacia (to/toward). Let's see some examples:
está situado al este de la bahía.
is located to the east of the bay.
Caption 22, Viajando con Fermín Pasajes (Pasaia) - Part 1
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Por ejemplo, si tenemos que ir hacia la derecha, deberemos girar el volante hacia la derecha y si queremos ir hacia la izquierda, deberemos girar el volante hacia la izquierda.
For example, if we have to go right, we will have to turn the steering wheel to the right and if we want to go left, we will have to turn the steering wheel to the left.
Captions 38-41, Raquel y Marisa Aprender a conducir - Part 2
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Interestingly, all of the above-mentioned nouns can also function as adjectives, for example, la punta norte (the northern tip) or el lado izquierdo ("the left side," noting the change from a final "a" to an "o" to agree grammatically with the singular masculine noun). Another example of this is the fact that, like in English, Spanish uses the word mano (hand) to talk about "the right" or "left hand side":
Ve, entrá y la primera oficina que encontrás a mano derecha; ahí es.
Go, go in, and the first office you'll find on the right hand side; it's there.
Caption 74, La Sucursal del Cielo Capítulo 1 - Part 12
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Let's take a look at some additional directional words and phrases.
abajo: down
arriba: up
al lado de: next to
cerca de: close to
enfrente de: in front of/across from
derecho: straight/straight ahead/right
detrás de: behind
recto: straight/straight ahead
todo derecho/recto: straight ahead
As we already learned that the adjective derecho means "right," you may have been surprised to see in the list above that it can also mean "straight" or "straight ahead." Let's see examples of each usage:
¿Sigo derecho y no lo saludo?
Keep going straight and not say hi to him?
Caption 26, Confidencial: Asesino al Volante Capítulo 4 - Part 12
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"Mi guitarra está al lado derecho mío".
"My guitar is on my right side."
Caption 17, Kowy Vocabulario
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Let's take a look at many oft-used verbs for talking about how to get places in Spanish, a few of which we've already seen:
estar: to be located
quedar: to be located
llegar: to get there
seguir: to continue, keep going
doblar: to turn
girar: to turn
tomar: to take
pasar: to pass
cruzar: to cross
Now, let's see a couple of these in clips from the Yabla Spanish video library:
Señora, ¿y usted sabe dónde queda esa whiskería?
Ma'am, and do you know where that whisky bar is?
Caption 82, Confidencial: Broma pesada Capítulo 3 - Part 1
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debo girar por la calle de la izquierda.
I should turn down the street on the left.
Caption 50, Raquel Las direcciones
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Finally, we'll look at just a few of the many directions-related nouns that might come up as things to keep your eyes out for on your way to some destination:
el edificio: the building
la señal de pare/alto: the stop sign
el semáforo: the stop light:
el camino: the road
la carretera: the highway
la calle: the street
la esquina: the corner
la intersección: the intersection
Let's conclude today's lesson with a little blurb that includes several of the terms we have learned today:
Cuando salgas, caminas a la derecha, cruzas el semáforo y a tu derecha verás un edificio blanco grande.
When you leave, you walk to the right, you cross the traffic light, and to your right, you'll see a big white building.
Captions 22-24, Cleer y Lida Llegando a una nueva ciudad
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We hope that this vocabulary will help you to feel more confident both asking for directions in Spanish and understanding many potential answers when you do... and don't forget to write us with your questions and suggestions!
You may have learned that the Spanish word que without an accent most commonly means "that," while its accented version qué tends to function like the English word "what" within questions. However, since both versions of que in Spanish can be employed as different parts of speech and within different constructions, with varying English translations, today's lesson will lay out many of these with plenty of examples from the Yabla Spanish library.
In this usage, que is used like "that" or "who" in English to introduce essential characteristics. Let's see some examples:
En esta aula tan solo había un chico que era español;
In this classroom, there was only one boy who was Spanish,
Caption 23, Aprendiendo con Silvia - Nacionalidades y adjetivos - Part 1
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Se lo comen todo, hasta un aceite que huele a orégano.
They eat everything, even an oil that smells like oregano.
Caption 43, Amaya Burras a dieta
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Sometimes, que functions like the English words "who," "that," or "which" to introduce additional, or nonessential, information, in which case it is typically set off by commas as in the following caption:
Así que Poeska, que es demasiado buena, optaba por irse
So Poeska, who is too nice, would choose to leave
Caption 64, Fermín y los gatos Mi gata Bimba
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This less formal use of the word que could be translated with the English words "because" or "since":
Ay, no te quejés tanto, que mañana me tenés que llevar a hacer unas vuelticas.
Oh, don't complain so much since tomorrow, you have to take me to run some errands.
Caption 4, La Sucursal del Cielo Capítulo 2 - Part 8
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Que is often used as the Spanish equivalent of "than" for making comparisons in Spanish.
Eres más compleja que tu madre.
You're more complex than your mother.
Caption 60, Yago - 6 Mentiras - Part 5
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In this case, the word que comes between a verb and a subsequent conjecture or statement. Let's take a look:
Recuerde que todo el país tiene los ojos en usted
Remember that the whole country has its eyes on you,
Caption 62, Confidencial: Asesino al Volante Capítulo 3 - Part 5
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Y bueno, yo creo que Lukas se nos ha quedado dormido.
And well, I think Lukas has fallen asleep on us.
Caption 57, Amaya Mi camper van
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Note that while, in the first example, the word que has been translated as "that," in the second example, it has not been translated at all. This is because, although the word que is necessary in such constructions in Spanish, its English equivalent is often optional (the word "that" could also be left out of the first example). Furthermore, remember that if what follows que is a wish or desire, the next verb must be conjugated in a subjunctive tense, as follows:
No queremos que nuestra ley parezca demasiado blanda.
We don't want our law to look too lenient.
Caption 25, Confidencial: Asesino al Volante Capítulo 2 - Part 14
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And speaking of the subjunctive, the word que can be used along with a subjunctive verb to give the idea that one "hopes" or desires something, or in the way that English speakers use "May..."
Que descanses. -Gracias.
[I hope you] sleep well. -Thanks.
Caption 12, Yago 8 Descubrimiento - Part 3
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¡Que suenen las voces del himno nacional,
May the voices of the national anthem sound,
Caption 39, Los Años Maravillosos Capítulo 5 - Part 8
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There are two main uses of the word qué in Spanish with a tilde, or written accent. Let's find out what they are.
The word qué in Spanish with a written accent is the equivalent of "what" in English and appears in both direct and indirect questions, or statements that include unknown information. Let's see an example of each:
¿Y tú, Cleer, qué idiomas hablas?
And you, Cleer, what languages do you speak?
Caption 18, Cleer y Lida ¿Qué idiomas hablas?
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porque todavía no se sabe de qué rincón o de qué carta se está hablando.
because it's still not known what corner or what letter is being spoken about.
Captions 46-47, Carlos explica Los artículos en español - Part 3
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Qué with an accent can also mean "how" or "what" within exclamations or interjections like the following:
¡Ah, qué rico!
Oh, how tasty!
Caption 40, Cleer y Lida Juego de preguntas y respuestas - Part 2
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¡Pero qué chica más inteligente!
But what a smart girl!
Caption 27, Muñeca Brava 43 La reunión - Part 5
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That's all for today. Although the many uses of the Spanish word que can feel a bit overwhelming, we hope that this lesson has clarified for you many of the major ones, and don't forget to write us with your questions or comments.
How many Spanish question words do you know? Can you write a question in Spanish correctly? Asking questions is one of the most essential skills when learning Spanish. In this lesson, you'll learn the most important interrogative words in Spanish and how to structure your questions properly.
Before we dive into the question words themselves, let's cover some basics about asking questions in Spanish.
'The word 'question' in Spanish is pregunta. It's a feminine noun, and its plural form is preguntas. Let's hear how to pronounce it:
Kevin, la pregunta es:
Kevin, the question is:
Caption 13, Los Años Maravillosos - Capítulo 1
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Los voy a dejar con cuatro preguntas.
I am going to leave you with four questions.
Caption 48, Carlos explica - Tuteo, ustedeo y voseo: Ustedes y vosotros
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Writing questions in Spanish follows specific rules. Let's break down the structure you need to know.
Spanish uses inverted question marks. Every question starts with an opening question mark (¿) and ends with a closing one (?):
¿Cómo es Japón?
What's Japan like?
¿Qué te gusta de Japón?
What do you like about Japan?
Captions 69-70, Clase Aula Azul - Pedir deseos
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Creating yes/no questions is simple. Your intonation matters most here. Transform any statement into a question using this structure:
¿ + (subject) + conjugated verb + (additional information) + ?
📌 Elements in parentheses are optional.
Examples:
A Pedro le gusta comer pizza. (Pedro likes to eat pizza.)
¿A Pedro le gusta comer pizza? (Does Pedro like to eat pizza?)
📌 For negative questions, add "no" before the verb:
No quieres estudiar. (You don't want to study.)
¿No quieres estudiar? (Don't you want to study?)
Listen to these examples and notice how the speaker's voice rises at the end:
Mmm... ¿Quieres ir al cine?
Mmm... Do you want to go to the movies?
-Sí, ¡buena idea!
-Yes, good idea!
Captions 45-46, Conversaciones en el parque - Cap. 5: Me gusta mucho este parque.
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¿Necesitas ayuda?
Do you need help?
-Mmm... Sí.
-Mmm... Yes.
Captions 9-10, Español para principiantes - La hora
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¿No conoces Manhattan?
You don't know Manhattan?
Caption 37, Yago - 2 El puma
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📌 Yes/no questions commonly start with a conjugated verb.
When asking for specific information, use this structure:
¿ + (preposition) + question word + conjugated verb + (additional information) + ?
📌 Elements in parentheses are optional.
Example:
¡Oh! ¿Dónde está el cajero automático?
Oh! Where's the ATM?
Caption 36, Natalia de Ecuador - Palabras de uso básico
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Structure breakdown:
¿ + question word (dónde) + conjugated verb (está) + additional information (el cajero automático) + ?
Let's listen to another clip:
¿Desde cuándo tienes este piso?
Since when have you had this apartment?
Caption 35, 75 minutos - Gangas para ricos
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Structure breakdown:
¿ + preposition (desde) + question word (cuándo) + conjugated verb (tienes) + additional information (este piso) + ?
Ready to learn the most important interrogative words? Here are the Spanish equivalents of 'what', 'which', 'when', 'where', 'who', 'why', and 'how'.
• What / Which (Qué / Cuál)
• When (Cuándo)
• Where (Dónde)
• Who (Quién)
• Why (Por qué)
• How (Cómo)
Now, let's see each one of these question words in action with a list of some of the most basic Spanish questions you can ask.
Diremos, "¿Qué hora es?"
We'll say, "What time is it?"
Caption 49, Español para principiantes - La hora
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O, ¿A qué te dedicas?
Or, What do you do? [with "tú"].
Caption 17, Karla e Isabel - Tú y Usted
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Oye, y ¿en qué trabajas?
Hey, and what do you do [for a living]?
Caption 82, Ricardo - La compañera de casa
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Por supuesto; ¿cuál es su dirección de correo?
Of course; what is your e-mail address?
Caption 69, Negocios - Empezar en un nuevo trabajo
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¿Recuerdas cuál era la copa para servir vino?
Do you remember which cup was the one for serving wine?
Caption 36, Ana Carolina - El comedor
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¿Y cuándo hizo el "check-in"?
And when did he check-in?
Caption 13, Confidencial: El rey de la estafa - Capítulo 3
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¿Cuándo terminas de estudiar?
When do you finish studying?
Caption 72, Carlos explica - Tuteo, ustedeo y voseo: Conjugación
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¿De dónde eres?
Where are you from?
Caption 36, Curso de español - ¿De dónde eres?
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Y ¿en dónde vives?
And where do you live?
Caption 8, Cleer - Entrevista a Lila
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Here's how to ask about locations:
¿Me podrías decir dónde está el baño?
Could you tell me where the bathroom is?
Caption 7, Raquel - Expresiones para un festival de música.
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¿Sabes dónde hay alguna farmacia?
Do you know where there's a pharmacy?
Caption 24, Raquel - Expresiones para un festival de música.
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Use quién to find out someone's identity:
Mi jugador favorito juega en el Real Madrid.
My favorite player plays for Real Madrid.
¿Quién es?
Who is it?
Captions 19-20, El Aula Azul - Las Profesiones
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¿Usted quién es?
Who are you?
Roberto. Un amigo.
Roberto. A friend.
Captions 24-25, Yago - 9 Recuperación
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¿Por qué dices eso? -No...
Why are you saying that? -No...
Caption 14, Cortometraje - Beta
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Para saludar, podemos decir: "Hola. ¿Cómo estás? ¿Todo bien?"
To greet (people), we can say: "Hello. How are you? (Is) everything good?"
Caption 7, Español en las calles - Varias expresiones
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📌 Remember: cómo doesn't always translate to 'how'. Here's a common example:
Buenos días, ¿cómo te llamas?
Good morning, what's your name?
Caption 8, La rutina diaria - La mañana
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To ask about age, price, or quantity, Spanish uses different question words:
Ah, lindo.
Oh, nice.
¿Cuánto cuesta?
How much does it cost?
Captions 33-34, Natalia de Ecuador - Palabras de uso básico
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¿Cuántos años tienes?
How old are you?
Caption 6, Cleer - Entrevista a Lila
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Ah, vale. ¿Cuántos hijos tienes?
Oh, OK. How many sons do you have?
Caption 39, Clase Aula Azul - El verbo parecer
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¿Y cuántas botellas de agua hay aquí?
And how many bottles of water are there here?
Caption 78, Español para principiantes - Los números del 1 al 100
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Now you're ready to ask questions in Spanish! Practice using these question words in your conversations. We'd love to hear from you—send us your thoughts and any questions you have about Spanish question words!
In the first installment of Tu Voz Estéreo, our brand new series from Colombia, we hear a conversation between two not very pleasant characters who are planning to steal a guide dog (ಠ_ಠ!) from his blind owner:
Ay, pero ¿cómo y de cuándo acá nos gustan tanto los perros?
Oh, but how and since when do we like dogs so much?
Caption 9, Tu Voz Estéreo - Laura - Part 1
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The idiom de cuándo acá (since when) is a rhetorical question. In Spanish, asking ¿Desde cuándo te gustan los perros? is not the same as saying ¿De cuándo acá te gustan los perros? The first one is a simple question, while the second one is asked in order to create a dramatic effect of surprise, outrage, disbelief, or disapproval:
¿Y de cuándo acá eres mi juez?
And since when are you my judge?
Órale, ¿de cuándo acá tan bien vestidos? ¿Dónde es la fiesta?
Wow, since when you dress so well? Where's the party?
There are different ways to translate the English expression "how come?" into Spanish. As a standalone expression, you can use questions such as ¿cómo es eso? (literally "how is that"), ¿cómo así? (literally "how this way"), ¿cómo? (how), or ¿por qué? (why). It's important to add a special emphasis to the way you pronounce these questions:
No había nada interesante que hacer. ¿Cómo?
There was nothing interesting to do. - How come?
Captions 38-39, Guillermina y Candelario - Una aventura extrema - Part 1
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But when the expression is part of a sentence (for example, "How come you don't know that?") you can use the idiom cómo que (literally "how that") or cómo es que (how is that):
¿Cómo es que no sabes eso!
How come you don't know that?!
¿Cómo que no trajiste nada de dinero?
How come you didn't bring any money?
You could say that by using this phrase cómo que we're simply omitting the verb decir (to say), as shown in this example:
¿Cómo (dices) que te echaron?
How come (you say) they fired you?
Caption 8, Verano Eterno - Fiesta Grande - Part 5
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In Colombia and other Latin American countries, some people add the word así after que:
¿Cómo así que chucho?
How come it's the chucho?
Caption 33, Festivaliando - Mono Núñez - Part 4
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Thank you for reading!
Are you wondering what is why in Spanish? Or maybe you're confused about because in Spanish? You're not alone! Understanding the difference between porque and por que (along with their accented variations) can be challenging even for advanced learners.
These four distinct forms represent important concepts in Spanish:
Por qué = Why in Spanish (asking for reasons)
Porque = Because in Spanish (giving reasons)
Porqué = The reason (a noun)
Por que = For which/that (in relative clauses)
Though they look and sound similar, each has its own specific grammatical role. In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore the difference between why and because in Spanish, explain when to use them correctly, and help you master this tricky aspect of Spanish grammar with plenty of real-world examples.
Spanish has these four different forms that sound nearly identical but serve distinct grammatical functions. Let's explore what is the difference between why and because in Spanish:
Por qué is the Spanish equivalent of "why" in English. It's the combination of the preposition por and the interrogative pronoun qué. Written as two separate words with an accent mark on qué, this form is used to ask about the cause or reason for something. Por qué introduces interrogative and exclamatory sentences, both causal and non-causal, whether direct or indirect. Let's see some examples:
Y Ekain, ¿por qué te gusta el surf?
And Ekain, why do you like surfing?
Caption 52, El Aula Azul Un día de surf
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No entiendo por qué los medios publican semejante mentira.
I don't understand why the media would publish such a lie.
Caption 38, Confidencial: Asesino al Volante Capítulo 4 - Part 12
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¡Y por qué no probarlo!
And why not try it?
Caption 36, María Fernanda Economía durante el COVID-19
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Porque is how you say "because" in Spanish. It's a single word with no accent mark. The stress falls on the first syllable. It's a conjunction used to explain the cause of something and can be substituted with phrases like ya que (since), dado que (given that), or puesto que (since).
Hoy estoy muy emocionada porque estoy aquí con Catalina García,
Today, I am very excited because I am here with Catalina Garcia,
Caption 5, Monsieur Periné Entrevista
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Understanding porque in Spanish is essential as it's commonly used to answer questions that start with por qué (why):
¿Y por qué no fueron donde la tal Margarita esa para traer al Duque de allá? Porque no sabemos dónde vive esa vieja.
And why didn't you go to that Margarita woman's place to bring Duque from there? Because we don't know where that lady lives.
Captions 1-2, Confidencial: Broma pesada Capítulo 5 - Part 7
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Porque also frequently introduces reasons without a direct question:
Te dejo porque aquí está pasando algo muy raro.
I'll let you go because something very strange is going on here.
Caption 35, Pablo Escobar, el patrón del mal Capítulo 1 - Part 2
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Porqué is written as one word with an accent mark. It's a masculine noun meaning "reason," "cause," or "motive." As a noun, it appears with articles or other determinants and can be pluralized.
Don Pepe y doña Susana nunca entendieron el porqué de la extraña risa de su hija en su primer día de universidad.
Don Pepe and Ms. Susana never understood the reason for their daughter's strange laughter on her first day of college.
Captions 36-38, La Sucursal del Cielo Capítulo 1 - Part 11
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"Todo tiene su porqué".
"There's a reason for everything" [literally "Everything has its reason"].
Caption 47, Aprendiendo con Silvia Por qué, porque, por que y porqué - Part 1
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"No supe nunca los porqués de su separación".
"I never found out the reasons for their separation."
Caption 26, Aprendiendo con Silvia Por qué, porque, por que y porqué - Part 2
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In English, porqué can also sometimes be translated as "why" when referring to the reason behind something:
Y ahora os explico el porqué.
And now, I'll explain to you why.
Caption 6, San Sebastián Playa de la Zurriola
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Por que appears in two main situations:
When que is a relative pronoun meaning "which" or "that" (you can replace it with phrases like el que/cual or la que/cual):
"La razón por que he dimitido es de dominio público". Separado y sin tilde. Podríamos decir: "La razón por la que" o "por la cual he dimitido".
"The reason why I resigned is common knowledge." Separated and without a tilde. We could say: "The reason that" or "for which I've resigned."
Captions 19-22, Aprendiendo con Silvia Por qué, porque, por que y porqué - Part 2
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When "por" and "que" happen to appear next to each other because "por" is required by a verb and "que" introduces a following clause:
"Son muchos los motivos por que decidió mudarse".
"There are many reasons why he decided to move."
Caption 36, Aprendiendo con Silvia Por qué, porque, por que y porqué - Part 2
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Learning the differences between por qué, porque, porqué, and por que might seem challenging at first, but with practice, it becomes second nature. Remember these key points:
Por qué (separated, with accent) asks questions and means "why"
Porque (together, no accent) provides reasons and means "because"
Porqué (together, with accent) is a noun meaning "reason" or "the why"
Por que (separated, no accent) means "for which" or refers to the combination of the preposition "por" with the conjunction "que"
Paying attention to these distinctions will significantly improve both your written and spoken Spanish. It's one of those grammar points that, once mastered, will immediately make your Spanish sound more natural and correct.
Keep practicing by identifying these forms in Spanish videos, books, or conversations. Before you know it, you'll be using them correctly without even thinking about it!
¿Por qué estudiar estas diferencias? Porque te ayudarán a comunicarte mejor. El porqué de tu éxito será la práctica constante y la situación por que pasarás será cada vez más fácil.
Why study these differences? Because they'll help you communicate better. The reason for your success will be constant practice, and the situation you'll go through will be increasingly easier.
Don't forget to send us your questions and comments, and continue exploring our Spanish lessons for more insights into this beautiful language. ¡Hasta la próxima!
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