qué es esto
/ke es esto/from spelling rules
The Spanish phrase for "what is this" is qué es esto.
Qué es esto is a question used to ask for the identity or the name of an object.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of qué (what), es (is) and esto (this).
Which one should you use?
While esto is used when the identity of the object is unknown, if you already know the object is masculine, you would use qué es este to mean "what is this one".
How does it change in a sentence?
The word esto is a neuter demonstrative pronoun used specifically when the identity of the object is unknown.
How do you pronounce it?
/ke es esto/
Did you know?
- If you are asking 'what is this' about a person, you would never use esto, as that would be considered incredibly dehumanizing or treating them like an object.
- While qué es esto asks for the identity of an object, Spanish speakers often use qué es esto to express shock or indignation at a situation.
- The word qué descends from the Latin word quid, which is the root of the English word 'quiddity' meaning the inherent nature of something.
Examples in context
- ¿Para qué es esto?What is this for?This sentence shows how to ask the purpose of an object using qué es esto.Tatoeba #2001712 by marcelostockle, translation #1886726 by CK
- ¿Qué es esto? Es una rosa.What is this? This is a rose.This sentence uses qué es esto to identify a rose.Tatoeba #13117616 by overcooked, translation #5707128 by halfdan
- ¿Qué es esto? Esto es un carro.What is this? This is a car.This sentence uses qué es esto to identify a car.Tatoeba #3196583 by cueyayotl, translation #2912789 by astyng
- 5 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Elena and Javier are looking at a strange object in the living room.
- Elena¿Qué es esto?What is this?
- JavierEs un regalo para ti.It is a gift for you.
- Elena¡Qué sorpresa, Javier!What a surprise, Javier!
- JavierEspero que te guste.I hope you like it.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries es, esto, qué, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
