What does it mean word for word?
The word qué means "what" and carries an accent mark because it is used in a question. The word cocinaste is the second-person singular preterite (past tense) form of the verb cocinar, meaning "you cooked".
Which one should you use?
While ¿qué cocinaste? is a standard way to ask the question, ¿Qué preparaste? is a common and natural alternative that means "What did you prepare?"
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, the phrase ¿Qué has cocinado? (What have you cooked?) is widely used when referring to the past.
How does it change in a sentence?
To address someone formally (usted), use the third-person singular form cocinó instead of cocinaste, as in ¿qué cocinó? When addressing a group of people, use the third-person plural form cocinaron to say ¿qué cocinaron? The phrase ¿Qué has cocinado? uses the verb haber in its second person singular form.
Did you know?
- The word cocinar comes from the Latin 'coquere', which is the same root that gave English the word 'concoct'.
- The word qué can be traced back to the Latin 'quid', which is the same word found in the legal and philosophical expression 'Quid pro quo'.
- The verb cocinar is sometimes used metaphorically in slang to mean 'plotting' or 'planning' something in secret, similar to the English phrase 'cooking up a plan'.
Examples in context
- Buenos días, señora López. ¿Qué cocinó usted para el almuerzo?Good morning, Mrs. Lopez. What did you cook for lunch?
- Disculpe, señor Martínez. ¿Qué preparó usted de comer ayer?Excuse me, Mr. Martinez. What did you cook yesterday?
- ¡Hola! ¿Qué cocinaste para la cena anoche?Hi! What did you cook for dinner last night?
- Oye, ¿qué hiciste de comer? Tengo hambre.Hey, what did you make to eat? I'm hungry.
- ¿Qué hiciste de comer?What did you make to eat?
- Huele muy bien, ¿qué cocinaste?It smells very good, what did you cook?
Example conversation
Elena enters the kitchen and smells something delicious.
- Elena¡Hola Daniel! ¿Qué cocinaste?Hello Daniel! What did you cook?
- DanielCociné pasta con tomate.I cooked pasta with tomato.
- ElenaSe ve delicioso.It looks delicious.
- DanielGracias, espero que te guste.Thanks, I hope you like it.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries qué, CC BY-SA 4.0.
