lequel
/lə.kɛl/
In French, "which one" is translated as lequel.
The phrase is used to ask for a specific choice from a limited group of items.
Which one should you use?
Use lequel and its forms when "which one" stands alone as a pronoun. However, use quel or quelle when the word is an adjective directly preceding a noun.
How does it change in a sentence?
Use lequel for masculine singular nouns, laquelle for feminine singular nouns, lesquels for masculine plural nouns and lesquelles for feminine plural nouns. Additionally, when the phrase is used as an object of the preposition à, the forms contract into auquel, auxquels or auxquelles. When used with the preposition de, the forms contract into duquel, desquels or desquelles.
How do you pronounce it?
/lə.kɛl/
Did you know?
- Using lequel in a casual setting can sometimes sound overly precise or stiff, making the speaker seem unusually formal.
- In very formal literature, lequel is used to avoid ambiguity when multiple people are mentioned, specifying exactly which person is being discussed.
- The phrase lequel can be used to start a relative clause that translates to 'of which' or 'by which' in English, often functioning as a bridge between two ideas.
Examples in context
- Lequel est cassé ?Which one is broken?This sentence is useful for asking which object is broken using lequel.Tatoeba #673297 by sacredceltic, translation #619670 by ulyssemc1
- Lequel est le mien ?Which one is mine?This sentence is useful for asking which one belongs to the speaker using lequel.Tatoeba #1432888 by martin9, translation #1432893 by CM
- Lequel est correct ?Which one is correct?This sentence is useful for asking which one is correct using lequel.Tatoeba #6947575 by Aiji, translation #1912676 by shanghainese
- Lequel de ces livres préférez-vous?Which one of these books do you prefer?
- Laquelle de ces jupes est la plus élégante?Which one of these skirts is the most elegant?
- Lesquels de ces restaurants recommandez-vous?Which ones of these restaurants do you recommend?
- Lesquelles de ces robes vont bien ensemble?Which ones of these dresses go well together?
- Lequel est-ce que tu préfères?Which one do you prefer?
- Tu préfères lequel de ces deux films?Which one of these two films do you prefer?
- T'aurais pas une idée de laquelle choisir?Do you have any idea which one to choose?
- Lesquelles tu veux prendre?Which ones do you want to take?
- 79 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucas and Chloé are looking at several books on a shelf.
- LucasIl y a beaucoup de livres ici.There are many books here.
- ChloéLequel veux-tu lire ?Which one do you want to read?
- LucasJe ne sais pas encore.I don't know yet.
- ChloéPrends celui que tu préfères.Take the one you prefer.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry lequel, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
