Question Words

1. Que?

   What?

   Usage

   Basic question word for asking about things, or for asking someone to repeat

   Grammar Note

   Question words carry no accent (Spanish qué). Only the closing ? is written

2. Onde?

   Where?

   Usage

   Asks about a place; pair it with a noun to look for something

   Grammar Note

   Written onde with no accent (Spanish dónde)

3. Cando?

   When?

   Usage

   Asks about a time or a date

   Grammar Note

   Written cando with no accent. It also works as the conjunction when

4. Quen?

   Who?

   Usage

   Asks about a person

   Grammar Note

   quen is the same for singular and plural; Spanish quién

5. Por que?

   Why?

   Usage

   Asks for a reason. The answer starts with porque (one word)

   Grammar Note

   The question is two words, por que; the answer because is one word, porque

6. Como?

   How? / Pardon?

   Usage

   Asks about manner, and also works as Pardon? when you missed something

   Grammar Note

   Written como with no accent (Spanish cómo)

7. Cantos?

   How many?

   Usage

   Asks for a count of items or people. For feminine nouns: Cantas?

   Grammar Note

   canto agrees with the noun: canto / canta / cantos / cantas

8. Canto custa?

   How much is it?

   Usage

   Ask a price while pointing at the item

   Grammar Note

   For several items: Canto custan? No accent on canto

9. Cal?

   Which one?

   Usage

   Used to choose among options

   Grammar Note

   Plural is cales. The spelling cal also means lime (the mineral)

10. Que é isto?

    What is this?

    Usage

    Point at a dish or product and ask what it is

    Grammar Note

    é is the third person singular of ser and keeps its accent (Spanish es)

11. Onde está o baño?

    Where is the toilet?

    Usage

    One of the most-used questions on a trip. Signs may also say aseos or servizos

    Grammar Note

    estar, not ser, gives a location. baño is written with ñ, not nh

12. Que hora é?

    What time is it?

    Usage

    Standard way to ask the time

    Grammar Note

    Answers: É a unha for one o'clock, but Son as dúas for two and later

13. Teñen?

    Do you have it?

    Usage

    Ask staff whether they stock something; add the item: Teñen un mapa?

    Grammar Note

    Third person plural of ter, used politely to staff. Spelled teñen, not Spanish tienen

14. É posible?

    Is it possible?

    Usage

    Asks whether something is possible or allowed

    Grammar Note

    posible has one form for both genders. The dictionary also lists posíbel

15. Hai que pagar?

    Do I have to pay?

    Usage

    Asks whether entry or use is charged

    Grammar Note

    hai is the invariable form of haber; hai que + infinitive means it is necessary to

16. É gratis?

    Is it free?

    Usage

    Check whether entry or a service is free

    Grammar Note

    gratis is invariable. There is also the adjective gratuíto

17. Está ben así?

    Is this OK?

    Usage

    Check a form, an order or a procedure

    Grammar Note

    ben is the adverb meaning fine; the adjective is bo

18. Non está permitido?

    Isn't it allowed?

    Usage

    Check a sign or a rule

    Grammar Note

    estar + past participle describes the present state. non goes before estar

19. Está ben?

    Is it OK?

    Usage

    Used to check on someone or on a situation

    Grammar Note

    Typical reply: Si, está ben

20. De verdade?

    Really?

    Usage

    A reaction of surprise or a request for confirmation

    Grammar Note

    de verdade means really; Spanish de verdad ends in -d

21. Ten a certeza?

    Are you sure?

    Usage

    Polite way to double-check with someone (to vostede)

    Grammar Note

    ter a certeza means to be sure. To a friend: Tes a certeza?

22. De onde é vostede?

    Where are you from?

    Usage

    Polite way to ask someone's origin

    Grammar Note

    ser + de expresses origin. To a friend: De onde es?

23. Como se chama?

    What is your name?

    Usage

    Polite way to ask someone's name (to vostede)

    Grammar Note

    chamarse is a pronominal verb. To a friend: Como te chamas?

24. Cantos anos ten?

    How old are you?

    Usage

    Polite way to ask age; it can still be rude with some people

    Grammar Note

    Age uses ter. The plural is anos, with plain n, not Spanish años

25. Podemos tirar unha foto xuntos?

    Can we take a photo together?

    Usage

    Used when asking locals or shop staff for a photo

    Grammar Note

    To take a photo is tirar unha foto; foto is feminine. For all women: xuntas

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