Difference between qué and que in Spanish (with and without an accent)

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)

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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?
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