The many meanings of 'que'

01

As a Relative Pronoun (that, which, who)

One of the primary uses of que is to connect a main clause to a dependent clause that provides more information about a noun. In this role, it can refer to both people and things.

When referring to things, it translates to that or which.

• La casa que compramos está en la colonia Roma.

  The house that we bought is in the Roma neighborhood.

• ¿Viste la película que te recomendé?

  Did you see the movie which I recommended to you?

When referring to people, it translates to who or that.

• La señora que vende flores es muy amable.

  The lady who sells flowers is very kind.

• Los amigos que invité a la fiesta ya llegaron.

  The friends that I invited to the party have already arrived.

02

As a Conjunction (that)

Que is also used as a conjunction to link two related ideas, often introducing a subordinate clause. This is very common after verbs of thinking, believing, saying, or perceiving.

• Creo que va a llover más tarde.

  I think that it's going to rain later.

• Ella me dijo que no podía venir.

  She told me that she couldn't come.

• Es necesario que termines la tarea.

  It is necessary that you finish the homework.

03

In Comparisons (than)

When making comparisons of inequality, que is used to mean than in structures like más... que (more... than) and menos... que (less... than).

• Este platillo es más picante que el otro.

  This dish is spicier than the other one.

• Mi hermano es menos alto que yo.

  My brother is shorter (less tall) than me.

• Monterrey está más lejos que Puebla.

  Monterrey is farther than Puebla.

04

To Express Obligation

Que is a crucial part of two common structures for expressing obligation or necessity.

1. Tener que + infinitive: This expresses a personal obligation, something a specific person or group has to do.

• Tengo que ir al banco hoy.

  I have to go to the bank today.

• Tenemos que comprar boletos para el concierto.

  We have to buy tickets for the concert.

2. Hay que + infinitive: This expresses a general or impersonal obligation, similar to one must or it is necessary to.

• Hay que ser paciente en el tráfico de la ciudad.

  One must be patient in the city's traffic.

• Para hacer chilaquiles, hay que freír las tortillas.

  To make chilaquiles, it's necessary to fry the tortillas.

05

The Difference Between 'Que' and 'Qué'

Although they sound identical, que and qué are not interchangeable. The version with the accent mark (qué) is used for questions and exclamations.

Qué (with accent) is an interrogative or exclamatory word, meaning what or how.

• ¿Qué quieres de tomar?

  What do you want to drink?

• ¡Qué bonita vista!

  What a beautiful view!

• No sé qué hacer.

  I don't know what to do.

Que (no accent) is the pronoun or conjunction discussed in the sections above.

• Quiero que vengas a mi fiesta.

  I want you to come to my party.

• El celular que me regalaste funciona muy bien.

  The cellphone that you gave me works very well.