cual or que
Cómo
What (I didn't hear you)
Cómo
What (I didn't hear you) (What rule 4: Cómo is often used as a response when someone fails to hear a comment and would like it repeated. In English when someone says something you don't hear, you say, *What?* If this happens in Spanish, the one word response, "¿Cómo?" is appropriate. That does not, however, mean that cómo can be used to mean "What?" in any other situation.")
Qué libro lee usted?
What book do you read
Qué libro lee usted
What book do you read (What rule 1: Always use qué to mean *what*, directly in front of any noun.)
Qué significa eso
What does it mean
Qué significa eso
What does it mean (What rule 2: Qué is used in front of any form of the verb ser when asking for a *definition or an explanation*. That is, when you're really asking)
Qué comida comen ellos
What food do they eat
Qué comida comen ellos
What food do they eat (What rule 1: Always use qué to mean *what*, directly in front of any noun.)
Qué es
What is it
Qué es
What is it (What rule 2: Qué is used in front of any form of the verb ser when asking for a *definition or an explanation*. That is, when you're really asking)
Cuál es tu dirección
What is your address (give me a specific place)
Cuál es tu dirección
What is your address (give me a specific place) (What rule 3: Cuál is used in front of any form of the verb ser when you're asking for a *choice or specific answer*. For example, consider the difference between the following two answers to a question about your address. The sample questions that generate them use the es form, which means is, of the verb ser.)
Qué es tu dirección
What is your address (give me an explanation or definition of address)
Qué es tu dirección
What is your address (give me an explanation or definition of address) (What rule 3: Cuál is used in front of any form of the verb ser when you're *asking for a choice or specific answer*. For example, consider the difference between the following two answers to a question about your address. The sample questions that generate them use the es form, which means is, of the verb ser.)