A comprehensive overview of Spanish interrogative sentences, covering question types, word order, question words, intonation, and subject pronouns.
Interrogative sentences in Spanish are used to ask questions and gather information. They can be formed using question words, auxiliary verbs, or simply by changing intonation in yes/no questions. Understanding how to construct and use these sentences is essential for effective communication.
Why Read This Guide?
- Build accurate question-asking skills
- Understand different types of Spanish questions
- Use question words and intonation correctly
- Avoid common mistakes in forming questions
How This Guide Is Organized
- Overview of Spanish question types
- Using interrogative words (qué, quién, dónde, etc.)
- Word order rules for questions
- Role of intonation in spoken questions
- Using subject pronouns in questions
Overview of Spanish Questions
Spanish has three main types of questions:
- Yes/No Questions: Require a simple affirmative or negative answer.
- Information Questions: Use interrogative words to ask for specific details.
- Choice Questions: Present two or more options to choose from.
Understanding these types is the first step in mastering Spanish questions.
Which type of Spanish question uses interrogative words like 'qué' and 'dónde'?
Information questions
Information questions use interrogative words (such as 'qué', 'dónde', 'quién') to ask for specific details in Spanish.
Using Interrogative Words
Spanish has a set of standard question words that always carry an accent:
- qué (what)
- quién/quiénes (who)
- dónde (where)
- cuándo (when)
- por qué (why)
- cómo (how)
- cuánto/cuánta/cuántos/cuántas (how much/many)
Example:
- ¿Qué quieres? (What do you want?)
- ¿Quién es? (Who is it?)
- ¿Dónde vives? (Where do you live?)
Word Order in Questions
Spanish generally follows this word order:
[Question Word] + [Verb] + [Subject] + [Rest]
Examples:
- ¿Dónde vives tú? (Where do you live?)
- ¿Qué come María? (What does María eat?)
In yes/no questions, the subject often follows the verb or is omitted:
- ¿Vienes tú? (Are you coming?)
- ¿Vienes? (Are you coming?)
Intonation in Spoken Questions
In spoken Spanish, yes/no questions are often formed by raising the intonation at the end of a statement. The word order remains the same as in a declarative sentence.
Example:
- ¿Vienes? (You’re coming?)
- ¿Estás cansado? (Are you tired?)
For longer questions or those with question words, the intonation follows the question structure naturally.
Using Subject Pronouns in Questions
Subject pronouns (yo, tú, él, ella, etc.) are usually omitted in declarative sentences but often included in questions for clarity or emphasis.
Examples:
- ¿Tú vienes? (Are you coming?)
- ¿Él trabaja hoy? (Is he working today?)
- ¿Vosotros salís? (Are you all going out?)
Including the pronoun can make the question clearer, especially in spoken Spanish.
¿___ salís? (Are you all going out?)
Fill in the blank with the subject pronoun: '¿___ salís?' (Are you all going out?)
Vosotros
'Vosotros' is the subject pronoun for 'you all' in informal plural form used in Spain.
Summary
Spanish interrogative sentences can be simple or complex, but they all follow clear rules. Use question words for specific information, invert the verb and subject, and apply the correct intonation. Don’t forget that subject pronouns are often present in questions, even if they’re omitted in statements. With practice, you’ll be asking questions confidently and naturally.
Last updated: Thu Jun 12, 2025
