¿qué es?
The Spanish phrase for "what is it?" is ¿qué es?
This phrase is a question used to ask for the identity or definition of an object.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of qué (what) and es (is, the third-person singular form of ser).
Which one should you use?
Use ¿qué es? when asking for the identity of a thing, but use ¿quién es? if you are asking for the identity of a person.
Did you know?
- The word qué is a direct descendant of the Latin word quid, which is also the root of the English word 'quid' used as slang for a British pound.
- In written Spanish, the opening inverted question mark ¿ is used to alert the reader that the sentence is a question before they even reach the word qué.
- The word qué requires a written accent mark to distinguish it from the word que, which means 'that' or 'which'.
Examples in context
- ¿Qué es eso que llevas en la mano?What is that you're holding in your hand?
- ¿Qué es esto?What is this?
- No entiendo el concepto, ¿qué es?I don't understand the concept, what is it?
- Veo un objeto extraño, ¿qué es?I see a strange object, what is it?
Example conversation
Elena and Mateo are looking at a strange object in a museum.
- ElenaMateo, mira esto. ¿Qué es?Mateo, look at this. What is it?
- MateoParece una herramienta antigua.It looks like an ancient tool.
- ElenaNo entiendo para qué sirve.I don't understand what it's for.
- MateoLeamos el cartel informativo.Let's read the information sign.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries es, qué, CC BY-SA 4.0.
