qué es
/ke es/from spelling rules
The English phrase "what is the" is translated into Spanish as qué es.
A question used to ask for the definition or identity of something.
How do you pronounce it?
/ke es/
Did you know?
- The word es shares a common ancestor with the Sanskrit word ásti, showing that the way Spanish and English ask 'what is' has roots dating back thousands of years to Proto-Indo-European.
- While qué es asks for a definition, Spanish speakers often use qué es esto to express confusion or disbelief about a situation, similar to saying 'what on earth is this' in English.
- If you are asking 'what is' regarding a person's profession, Spanish speakers use the verb ser (the root of es) because professions are viewed as an inherent part of a person's identity.
Examples in context
- ¿Qué está haciendo el hombre?What is the man doing?This example shows how to ask about the actions of a man.Tatoeba #1198560 by cueyayotl, translation #1193962 by FiRez
- ¿Qué está haciendo el doctor?What is the doctor doing?This example shows how to ask about the actions of a doctor.Tatoeba #1312833 by marcelostockle, translation #1312781 by CK
- ¿Qué está haciendo el mapache en la cocina?What is the racoon doing in the kitchen?This example shows how to ask about the actions of a raccoon.Tatoeba #2269907 by Shishir, translation #1515965 by marco87
- Dime qué es la solución.Tell me what is the solution.
- 9 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucía and Javier are looking at a museum exhibit.
- Lucía¿Qué es esto, Javier?What is this, Javier?
- JavierEs una escultura antigua.It is an ancient sculpture.
- LucíaY ¿qué es el material?And what is the material?
- JavierCreo que es mármol.I think it is marble.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries es, qué, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
