In Spanish, exclamatory sentences convey strong emotion or emphasis. They always begin with the inverted exclamation mark ( ¡ ) and end with a regular exclamation mark ( ! ). The word order can be flexible, and you can use exclamatory words or simply add emphasis with ¡Qué...!, ¡Cómo...!, or ¡Cuánto...!.
Structure of Exclamatory Sentences
Exclamatory sentences can take several forms:
- Qué + adjective/noun + verb (What a ...!)
- Cómo + verb (How ...!)
- Cuánto/a/os/as + noun + verb (How much/many ...!)
- Simple exclamation (e.g., ¡Bravo!, ¡Ay!)
They may include subjects and follow normal grammar rules within the exclamation.
Examples and Usage
Here are some examples of exclamatory sentences in Spanish, along with their English translations and explanations.
| Accurate Spanish Example | Plain English Example | Common Usage/Meaning | Other Spanish Examples | Other English Examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ¡Qué bonito es este lugar! | What a beautiful place this is! | Used to express admiration or wonder about something's beauty. | ¡Qué hermoso día!<br>¡Qué sorpresa tan agradable! | What a beautiful day!<br>What a pleasant surprise! |
| ¡Cómo canta María! | How beautifully María sings! | Highlights the manner or intensity of an action. | ¡Cómo corre ese atleta!<br>¡Cómo hablan los niños! | How that athlete runs!<br>How the children talk! |
| ¡Cuántos libros tienes! | How many books you have! | Emphasizes quantity, often expressing astonishment. | ¡Cuánta agua bebiste!<br>¡Cuántas personas hay! | How much water you drank!<br>How many people there are! |
| ¡Ay, no! | Oh no! | Expresses dismay, pain, or sympathy. | ¡Ay, qué dolor!<br>¡Ay, ay, ay! | Oh, what pain!<br>Ouch! |
Tips for Using Exclamatory Sentences
- Always use ¡ at the beginning and ! at the end.
- Word order can be flexible; Qué, Cómo, and Cuánto are often used at the start.
- The verb agrees in number and gender as usual.
- You can use other exclamations like ¡Vaya!, ¡Genial!, ¡Increíble!, depending on the emotion.
Exclamatory sentences in Spanish are a versatile way to express strong feelings and add color to your language.
How do adjectives and nouns that follow '¡Qué...!' or '¡Cuánto...!' agree with each other?
They must agree in gender and number with each other.
In exclamations starting with '¡Qué...!' or '¡Cuánto...!,' adjectives and nouns must agree in gender and number (e.g., '¡Qué hermosa noche!' vs. '¡Cuántos libros!').
What are the main takeaways about Spanish exclamatory sentences?
- They express strong emotions and always begin with '¡' and end with '!'.
- Common structures include '¡Qué...!', '¡Cómo...!', and '¡Cuánto...!'.
- Adjectives and nouns must agree in gender and number.
- Word order is flexible, and subject pronouns are optional.
Spanish exclamatory sentences express strong feelings, use double exclamation marks, follow specific patterns, and allow flexibility in word order—with agreement in gender and number.
Flashcards (1 of 4)
- Common Usage/Meaning: Used to express admiration or wonder about something's beauty.
- Plain English Example: What a beautiful place this is!
- Other English Examples: What a beautiful day!<br>What a pleasant surprise!
Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025
