how do you say what's that in spanish

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16-04-2025

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How Do You Say "What's That?" in Spanish? A Comprehensive Guide

Meta Description: Learn multiple ways to say "What's that?" in Spanish, from formal to informal, and master the nuances of each phrase. Perfect for Spanish learners of all levels! (162 characters)

Title Tag: How to Say "What's That?" in Spanish - A Complete Guide

There are several ways to say "What's that?" in Spanish, depending on the context, your relationship with the person you're speaking to, and what you want to emphasize. This guide will explore the most common options, helping you choose the perfect phrase for every situation.

The Most Common Phrases:

• "¿Qué es eso?" (keh es eh-soh): This is the most straightforward and commonly used translation. It's perfectly suitable for most situations and is generally understood. "Eso" refers to something close to the speaker.

• "¿Qué es esto?" (keh es ehs-toh): Similar to the above, but "esto" refers to something close to the listener. Use this if the object is near the person you're asking.

• "¿Qué es aquello?" (keh es ah-keh-yo): This phrase is used for something further away from both the speaker and the listener.

Informal Options:

• "¿Qué es?" (keh es?): A shorter, more informal version, suitable for conversations with friends and family. It's perfectly acceptable but lacks the specificity of the longer phrases.

• "¿Qué?" (keh?): This is the most informal option, a simple and concise way to ask "What?" Use it cautiously, as it can seem abrupt in formal settings.

Adding Emphasis or Specificity:

You can modify these basic phrases to add emphasis or to be more specific about what you're asking about. For example:

• "¿Qué es ese ruido?" (keh es eh-seh roo-ee-doh?): "What is that noise?" (using "ese" to specify a sound)
• "¿Qué es esa cosa?" (keh es eh-sah koh-sah?): "What is that thing?" (using "esa" to point towards a thing)
• "¿Qué es este objeto?" (keh es eh-steh ohb-heh-toh?): "What is this object?" (more formal and precise)

Understanding the Articles:

The words "eso," "esto," and "aquello" are demonstrative pronouns. They all mean "that," but they indicate different distances from the speaker and listener.

• Eso: That (over there, far from speaker and listener)
• Esto: This (near the speaker)
• Aquello: That (far from the speaker and listener)

The words "ese," "esta," and "aquel" are demonstrative adjectives and are used with nouns. They modify the noun they precede, specifying the location of the object.

Context is Key:

Choosing the right phrase depends heavily on context. Consider the distance to the object, your relationship with the person you’re talking to, and the level of formality of the conversation.

Beyond the Basics:

While the phrases above cover most scenarios, Spanish has a rich vocabulary. You might encounter other ways to ask "What's that?" depending on the specific situation. For example, if you're unsure what something is called, you might use "¿Cómo se llama eso?" ("What is that called?")

By mastering these different ways to ask "What's that?" in Spanish, you’ll significantly improve your ability to communicate effectively in various situations. Practicing these phrases in different contexts will help you become more fluent and confident in your Spanish-speaking skills.