Your Guide to Asking ‘Which One?’ in Spanish
Knowing how to ask “which one” in Spanish is a key skill for learners when making choices or selecting between two or more options.
To ask, “which one” in Spanish, you say ¿cuál? or ¿cuál es?
In fact, ¿cuál es…? is the go-to question for asking about anything where multiple answers are possible.
Keep reading to learn how to use cuál as a question word—and how to answer appropriately.
We’ll discover the definition of cual, how it’s a relative pronoun, and multiple ways to say “which one” in Spanish with plenty of example sentences and conversations.
All About Cuál
Cual is a Spanish pronoun that translates to “which,” as well as “what,” in English.
When cuál has an accent it functions as an interrogative pronoun in questions to mean “what” or “which.” The plural of cuál is cuáles. The accented form of the word occurs only in exclamations and questions.
¿Cuál es mi aula?
Which one is my classroom?
Te indicaré cuál es tu aula.
I will show you which classroom is yours.
Pro Tip: Cuál cannot be followed by a noun. It is incorrect to say ¿cuál libro tienes? or ¿cuáles países has visitado? The correct word to use here is qué.
Cual is a Relative Pronoun
Like que, cual is a relative pronoun.
A relative pronoun is a word that refers to a noun (the antecedent). In English, relative pronouns include “that,” “which,” “who(m)” and “whose.” In Spanish, they are que, quien, cual, and cuyo, among others.
Learn more about how to use relative pronouns.
Typical Responses
The most common reply to the question of “which one” in Spanish is a demonstrative adjective.
Depending on the gender (masculine el vs feminine la) and amount (singular or plural) of the noun being referenced, you choose one of the following:
- Esa – that one
- Esas – those
- Eso – that one
- Esos – those
- Está – this one
- Estas – these
- Esto – this one
- Estos – these
Not that one!
To reply, “not that one,” the Spanish phrase is ése no.
How to Say ‘Which One’ in Spanish
1. Similar to English
Numerous uses of cuál are available that parallel the way we say “which one” in English.
¿Cuál primero?
Which one is first?
¿Cuál siguiente?
Which one is next?
¿Cuál es mejor?
Which one is better?
¿Cuál es lo mejor?
Which one is the best?
¿Cuál es el último?
Which one is last?
¿Cuál es peor?
Which one is worse?
¿Cuál es lo peor?
Which one is the worst?
Curious about the usage of lo in the above examples? Read The Low-down on ‘Lo’ in Spanish.
2. Ask for a Choice from Others
In addition, we use cuál to suggest or ask for a choice from a person or group. For example:
¿Cuál miras?
Which one are you looking at?
¿Cuál prefiere usted?
Which one do you prefer?
¿Cuáles quieren?
Which ones do you all want?
¿Cuáles son tus cuadernos?
Which ones are your notebooks?
¿Cuáles son tuyas?
Which ones are yours?
3. Cuál es / Cuáles son
We also use cuál before es and other forms of the verb ser (“to be”). In this case, it translates to “what” in English as opposed to “which one.” For example:
¿Cuál es tu nombre?
What is your name?
¿Cuál es tu problema?
What is your problem?
¿Cuál es tu color favorito?
What is your favourite color?
¿Cuáles son tus recuerdos favoritos del viaje?
What are your favourite memories of the trip?
‘Which One’ in Spanish: Example Conversations
Here are several scenarios to illustrate how these words and phrases sound in real-life conversations.
Conversación 1
Aquí hay dos pastillas. ¿Cuál quieres? ¿La roja o la azul?
Here are two pills. Which one do you want? The red one or the blue one?
Ése no. (Indicando la pastilla roja)
Not that one. (Indicating the red pill)
Quiero esta por favor. (Indicando la pastilla azul)
I want that one, please. (Indicating the blue pill)
Conversación 2
Que increíble el concierto! De todas las canciones que oíste esta noche, ¿cuáles te gustaron más?
What an amazing concert! Of all the songs you heard tonight, which ones did you like the best?
¡Me encantaron todas!
I loved them all!
Conversación 3
¿Me prestas un diccionario?
Can you lend me a dictionary?
Sí, claro. Tengo estos dos, ¿cuál prefieres?
Yes, of course. I have these two, which one do you prefer?
Esa. Gracias.
That one. Thanks.
Conversación 4
¿Cuál vestido vas a ponerte para la reunión, el verde o el rosado?
What dress are you going to wear to the meeting, the green one or the pink one?
El rosado porque es más cómodo.
The pink one because it’s more comfortable.
Conversación 5
¿Cuál de tus amigos es el más alto?
Which (one) of your friends is the tallest?
Pedro. Es un buen jugador de basquetbol por eso.
Pedro. That’s why he’s a good basketball player.
Conversación 6
¿Cuál de estas pinturas prefieres?
Which of these paintings do you prefer?
¡Ninguna! Son tan feas.
None of them! They’re so ugly.
If you expect the question to have more than one answer, use cuáles as follows:
¿Cuáles de tus amigas saben español?
Which of your friends know Spanish?
Esas en la foto. Fuimos juntas a estudiar en Chile.
Those in the photo. We went together to study in Chile.
Conversación 7
¿Cuáles de tus primos tienen hijos?
Which of your cousins have children?
Todos sino Romero.
All of them except Romero.
Conversación 8
Tengo estos tres libros. ¿Cuál quieres?
I have these three books. Which (one) do you want?
Puedo llevar estos dos?
Can I take these two?
Conversación 9
Hay dos películas en Netflix que quiero ver. ¿Cuál prefieres?
There are two movies on Netflix that I want to watch. Which (one) would you prefer?
Ese no. Ya he visto y no es tan bueno.
Not that one. I have already seen it, and it’s not very good.
Veamos la otra entonces.
Let’s watch the other one then.
Conversación 10
No sé si quiero hacer sopa de papa o sopa de pescado para el almuerzo. ¿Cuál te apetece?
I don’t know if I want to make potato soup or fish soup for lunch. Which (one) do you feel like?
Sopa de papa con queso, por favor.
Potato soup with cheese, please.
Conversación 11
Nos quedan cuatro tipos de pastelitos. ¿Cuáles no has probado?
We have four kinds of cupcakes left. Which (ones) haven’t you tried?
Esa. El chocolate.
That one. The chocolate one.
Cuál vs Quién
Remember that rather than cuál or cuáles, we use quién or quiénes to refer to people in Spanish.
Que lindas como las niñas juegan en el jardín.
How nicely the girls are playing in the garden.
¿Quiénes son tus hijas?
Which ones are your daughters?
Practice Asking ‘Which One’ in Spanish
Now that you’ve learned all about how to ask “which one” in Spanish, are you ready to take the next step? Try a free trial class with one of our certified Spanish teachers from Guatemala to practice asking and answering cuál questions—plus learn more helpful grammar guidelines and vocabulary—while having a real-life conversation with a native speaker.
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