Asking Questions in Spanish: Who, What, Where, When, Why & How
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If you want to have real conversations in Spanish, mastering how to ask questions is essential. Questions help you learn, connect, and navigate daily life—whether you're asking for directions, ordering food, or getting to know someone new.
The foundation of great Spanish conversation begins with six core question words: who (quién), what (qué), where (dónde), when (cuándo), why (por qué), and how (cómo). Once you understand how these work, you can explore endless topics and interactions with confidence.
Want to boost your Spanish fluency fast? Start asking questions in Spanish like a pro with this guide to the six most important interrogatives you’ll use every day.
Table of Contents
1. “Quién” – Asking About People (Who)
2. “Qué” – Asking for Information (What)
3. “Dónde” – Talking About Places (Where)
4. “Cuándo” – Asking About Time (When)
5. “Por qué” – Understanding Reasons (Why)
6. “Cómo” – Exploring Ways and Conditions (How)
1. “Quién” – Asking About People (Who)
“Quién” is used to ask about people—just like “who” in English. It changes slightly depending on if you’re asking about one person or more:
Spanish Question | English Translation |
¿Quién es ella? | Who is she? |
¿Quién eres tú? | Who are you? |
¿Quiénes son ellos? | Who are they? (plural) |
This question often comes up in introductions or when identifying people in conversations.
2. “Qué” – Asking for Information (What)
“Qué” is used when you’re asking for definitions, explanations, or identifying things.
Spanish Question | English Translation |
¿Qué es eso? | What is that? |
¿Qué haces? | What are you doing? |
¿Qué quieres comer? | What do you want to eat? |
It’s one of the most versatile question words and is commonly used in daily speech.
3. “Dónde” – Talking About Places (Where)
“Dónde” helps you ask about location—crucial for travelers and everyday navigation.
Spanish Question | English Translation |
¿Dónde estás? | Where are you? |
¿Dónde vives? | Where do you live? |
¿Dónde está el restaurante? | Where is the restaurant? |
Use it when trying to find people, places, or even objects.
4. “Cuándo” – Asking About Time (When)
“Cuándo” is your go-to word when you need to know when something happens.
Spanish Question | English Translation |
¿Cuándo es tu cumpleaños? | When is your birthday? |
¿Cuándo llegas? | When are you arriving? |
¿Cuándo vamos al cine? | When are we going to the movies? |
You can use it with both the present and future tenses.
5. “Por qué” – Understanding Reasons (Why)
“Por qué” asks for reasons—why something is happening or happened.
Spanish Question | English Translation |
¿Por qué estudias español? | Why do you study Spanish? |
¿Por qué estás cansado? | Why are you tired? |
¿Por qué no vienes conmigo? | Why aren’t you coming with me? |
Note: Don’t confuse “por qué” (why) with “porque” (because)!
6. “Cómo” – Exploring Ways and Conditions (How)
“Cómo” is used to ask how something happens, how to do something, or how someone is feeling.
Spanish Question | English Translation |
¿Cómo estás? | How are you? |
¿Cómo se dice esto en español? | How do you say this in Spanish? |
¿Cómo funciona? | How does it work? |
It’s a highly functional and flexible word in conversation.
Final Thoughts: learning to ask Questions in Spanish
Asking questions in Spanish opens the door to authentic interaction and deeper understanding. By learning who, what, where, when, why, and how, you’ll be able to engage in conversations that are both meaningful and informative.
🌟 Practice using one question word per day. Try asking friends, using apps, or journaling in Spanish—and watch your confidence grow.
