y qué
/i ˈke/
In Spanish, the English phrase "so what" is expressed as y qué. Wiktionary also lists (y) a mí qué and y.
Meaning: reply of indifference (intj)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| y qué | /i ˈke/ |
| (y) a mí qué | /ʝ a ˈmi ˈke/ (phoneme, word by word) |
| y | /ʝ/ (phoneme) /i/ (phoneme) |
| y qué más da | /i ke mas da/ (from spelling rules) |
| entonces qué | /entonθes ke/ (Spain, from spelling rules) /entonses ke/ (Latin America, from spelling rules) |
The phrase is used to express indifference or to challenge the relevance of something someone has said. Depending on the tone of voice used, y qué can sound defensive or confrontational.
Which one should you use?
While y qué is a general expression of indifference, (y) a mí qué is used to emphasize that the information is irrelevant specifically to you (meaning "so what to me"). Additionally, y qué más da is a more idiomatic way to express the sentiment, meaning "what does it matter" or "it makes no difference". Entonces qué is another variation available for this sentiment.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase y qué más da functions as an idiomatic expression to convey that a situation makes no difference.
How do you pronounce it?
/i ˈke/
Did you know?
- The word qué in these phrases is a direct descendant of the Latin 'quid', which is the root of the English word 'quid' used in British slang for a pound.
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, using y qué with a sharp, rising tone can be perceived as an invitation to a physical fight rather than just a display of indifference.
- Using y qué in a formal setting in Spain or Latin America can be seen as significantly more rude than saying 'so what' in English, often crossing into open hostility.
Examples in context
- ¿Y a mí qué?So what?This sentence shows how to use y to ask 'So what?'Tatoeba #2008103 by Shishir, translation #1340 by Sbgodin
- Soy gay, ¿y qué?I'm gay, so what?This sentence demonstrates the use of y qué to say 'so what?'Tatoeba #4523918 by cueyayotl, translation #5571822 by zumley
- Sí, le besé, ¿y qué?Yes, I kissed him. So what?Tatoeba #2260768 by Shishir, translation #2260412 by Hybrid
- Entiendo tus preocupaciones, pero ¿y qué? Tenemos que seguir adelante para lograr nuestros objetivos.I understand your concerns, but so what? We have to keep moving forward to achieve our goals.
- No logré ganar el premio, pero ¿y qué más da? Me divertí mucho participando en el concurso.I didn't manage to win the prize, but so what? I had a lot of fun participating in the competition.
- 17 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alejandro and Elena are arguing about a late arrival.
- AlejandroLlegaste diez minutos tarde.You arrived ten minutes late.
- Elena¿Y qué? No ha pasado nada.So what? Nothing happened.
- AlejandroEs una falta de respeto, Elena.It's a lack of respect, Elena.
- ElenaNo seas tan dramático, Alejandro.Don't be so dramatic, Alejandro.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “so what” translations and entries y qué, y, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (y, a, mí, qué) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries a, más, mí, qué, y, y qué, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
