Qué Vs Que (with And Without An Accent) | Spanish Grammar

Home » What Does Que In Spanish Mean » Qué Vs Que (with And Without An Accent) | Spanish Grammar

Maybe your like

Written by qualified Spanish expert Inma Sánchez BALast updated: 2025-04-208 questionsReport a problem

Related lessons

  • Asking questions about people with preposition + quién in Spanish
  • Forming questions with qué in Spanish = what (Spain)
  • Using the conjunction que to say that
  • Forming Spanish exclamatory sentences with qué [noun] or qué [adjective]
  • Using [verb] + tan + [adjective/adverb] + que to say "so... that..."
  • Spanish»
  • Library»
  • Grammar»
  • Level B1»
  • Prepositions & Conjunctions»
Difference between qué and que in Spanish (with and without an accent)Written by qualified Spanish expert Inma Sánchez BALast updated: 2025-04-208 questionsTake the fastest path to fluent SpanishJoin now for free!

There are words in Spanish which change their meaning simply when you use a written accent. Let's look at que vs qué.

Spanish que without an accent

Que is a conjunction or a relative pronoun, it is usually translated by that... or which/who.

For example:

Marta dice que su hermana tiene problemas.Marta is saying that her sister is having some problems.

Mis vecinos, que tienen tres hijos, son muy antipáticos.My neighbours, who have three children, are very rude.

Spanish qué with an accent

Qué is used in both direct and indirect exclamatory and interrogative sentences, it is generally translated as what or how.

For example:

Mamá ¿qué cenamos hoy?Mum ¿What are we having for dinner today?

El niño pregunta a su madre qué van a cenar hoy.The boy is asking his mum what they are having for dinner today.

¡Qué frío hace hoy!How cold it is today! 

Remember:

  • Que = that..., which/who
  • Qué = What/How

Exception: There is a higher-level lesson on a more advanced use of "que" without a written accent, used as an interrogative sentence, here: Using que at the beginning of a question to express disbelief (without a written accent)

Want to make sure your Spanish sounds confident? We’ll map your knowledge and give you free lessons to focus on your gaps and mistakes. Start your Brainmap today »

Find your Spanish level for FREE

Test your Spanish to the CEFR standard

Find your Spanish level

Learn more about these related Spanish grammar topics

  • Conjunción subordinante
  • Pronombre interrogativo y exclamativo
  • Palabras agudas
  • Written accents in Spanish
  • Significados de "que"
  • Tilde diacrítica

Examples and resources

Marta dice que su hermana tiene problemas.Marta is saying that her sister is having some problems.Mis vecinos, que tienen tres hijos, son muy antipáticos.My neighbours, who have three children, are very rude.El niño pregunta a su madre qué van a cenar hoy.The boy is asking his mum what they are having for dinner today.¡Qué frío hace hoy!How cold it is today!Mamá ¿qué cenamos hoy?Mum ¿What are we having for dinner today? Kwizbot, a friendly bot Thinking...

Tag » What Does Que In Spanish Mean