Spanish Question Formation and Interrogative Words

Vocabulary terms and rules related to forming questions in Spanish, including interrogative words and punctuation.

Upside-down question mark (¿)

A punctuation mark used at the beginning of a question in written Spanish.

Rising pitch

A way to indicate a question by raising the voice at the end of a sentence.

Subject-verb inversion

A method of forming questions by placing the subject after the verb or at the end of the sentence.

¿no? or ¿verdad?

Tags added to the end of a statement to transform it into a question.

¿verdad? (negative statements)

The only tag that may be added to form a question when using a negative statement.

Interrogative words (accent rule)

Words used to form questions that always carry a written accent mark.

¿por qué? vs. porque

The two-word form with an accent means 'why?', while the single-word form without an accent means 'because'.

¿Adónde?

Where (to)?

¿Cómo?

How?

¿Cuál? / ¿Cuáles?

Which?; Which one(s)?

¿Cuándo?

When?

¿Cuánto/a?

How much?

¿Cuántos/as?

How many?

¿De dónde?

From where?

¿Dónde?

Where?

¿Por qué?

Why?

¿Qué?

What?; Which?

¿Quién?

Who?

¿Quiénes?

Who? (plural form)

Falling pitch

The vocal intonation used at the end of questions that contain interrogative words.