page 302 Avancemos 3

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page 302Avancemos 3

• Qué? vs. Cuál?

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Qué? vs. Cuál?

• It is sometimes said that qué is closer to "what"
  in meaning, and cuál is closer to "which." But
  that rule isn't always reliable. Here is a guide
  to knowing which of the two pronouns to use

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Qué? vs. Cuál?

• Qué is used when asking for definitions.
• Qué es una ciudad? What is a city?
• Qué hace un presidente? What does a president
  do?
• Qué significa "talanquera"? What does
  "talanquera" mean?

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Qué? vs. Cuál?

• Qué normally is most often used before nouns
  (although cuál isn't necessarily incorrect and
  you will hear it sometimes used to mean "which")
  
• De qué color es la camisa? What color is the
  shirt?
• Qué casa prefieres? Which house do you prefer?
• Qué libro leíste? Which book did you read?

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Qué? vs. Cuál?

• Cuál usually is used before es and other forms of
  ser when not seeking a definition
• Cuál es tu número de teléfono? What is your
  phone number?
• Cuál es tu problema? What is your problem?
• Cuáles son las ciudades más grandes? What are
  the biggest cities?

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Qué? vs. Cuál?

• Cuál is used to suggest a selection or choice
  from among a group
• Cuál miras? Which one are you looking at? But,
  Qué miras? What are you looking at?
• Cuál prefieres? Which one do you prefer? But,
  Qué prefieres? What do you prefer?
• Cuáles quieres? Which ones do you want? But,
  Qué quieres? What do you want?
• Cuál es el más caro? Which is the most
  expensive?
• Cuáles son los más caros? Which are the most
  expensive?

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Qué? vs. Cuál?

• Qué has some common idiomatic uses
• Qué hora es? What time is it?
• Qué lástima! What a shame! Qué hermoso! How
  beautiful! Qué día más horrible! What a horrible
  day! Qué susto! What a fright! Qué bonito! How
  pretty!
• Qué tanto? How much?
• Y qué? Y a mí qué? So what?
• Para qué? Por qué? Why?