dónde
/ˈdonde/
The English word "where" is translated into Spanish as dónde.
dónde is used to ask about or refer to the place at or in which something is or happens. You can use ¿Dónde? on its own to mean "Where?" in common conversation. When asking about a specific destination or direction, you may use ¿A dónde?
Meaning: at or in what place (adv)
Which one should you use?
The form with an accent mark, dónde, is used for direct questions or indirect questions. In contrast, the related form donde is a relative pronoun used to link clauses and refers to the place in which something happens.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, the phrase ¿Dónde estáis? is used to mean "Where are you?" when addressing a group of people.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
As an adverb, dónde does not change for gender or number. When using the word with certain verbs, you must include prepositions: use de dónde to ask "from where" (such as asking where someone is from) and adónde can be used to mean "to where" when the verb implies movement toward a destination, such as the verb ir (to go).
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈdonde/
Did you know?
- Spanish uses a specific combined word dondequiera to express 'anywhere' or 'wherever'. This fuses the root for 'where' with quiera, a form of the verb meaning 'to want'.
- The Spanish word donde can act as a shorthand for 'at the house of' when followed by a person. For instance, saying estoy donde mi abuela translates to 'I am at my grandmother's house'.
- The accent mark in dónde is a diacritical mark. It does not change how the word is pronounced but tells the reader the word is being used for a question or an exclamation.
Examples in context
- ¿A dónde fue él?Where did he go?This sentence is useful for asking about a destination using dónde.Tatoeba #1213965 by marcelostockle, translation #292031 by CK
- No sé dónde está.I don't know where it is.This sentence shows how to use dónde to express lack of knowledge about a location.Tatoeba #746563 by Shishir, translation #2361278 by CK
- ¿De dónde es Tom?Where is Tom from?This sentence demonstrates the requirement to use the preposition de before dónde when asking about origin.Tatoeba #2224559 by Shishir, translation #5576968 by CK
- ¿Dónde está el baño?Where is the bathroom?
- ¿En qué lugar puedo encontrar un buen restaurante?Where can I find a good restaurant?
- ¿A dónde vas de vacaciones?Where are you going on vacation?
- ¿Dónde estáis vosotros?Where are you guys?
- 2114 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Elena is looking for her book in the living room.
- Javier¿Dónde está tu libro, Elena?Where is your book, Elena?
- ElenaNo sé dónde lo puse.I don't know where I put it.
- Javier¿Está en la mesa?Is it on the table?
- ElenaNo, no está aquí.No, it is not here.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “where” translations and entries dónde, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
