The Basics of Spanish Relative Pronouns

Spanish relative pronouns are used to connect two clauses. They are often used to clarify the relationship between a noun and its antecedent. We will discuss the different types of Spanish relative pronouns and how they are used. We will also provide some examples so that you can see them in action!

The Relative Pronouns

Relative pronouns are used to connect relative clauses to the main clause. It is important because they help us avoid repetition in our writing. Another common use of relative pronouns is to introduce information about someone or something that has already been mentioned in the sentence. In Spanish, relative pronouns are required, though they are sometimes optional in English. Relative pronouns can be subjects, direct objects, or objects of a preposition.

Source: @TheLanguageTutor – How to Use Relative Pronouns in Spanish

The most common relative pronouns in English are that, who, which, and whom. They are used to connect a noun or pronoun to a clause. In Spanish, there are four sets of relative pronouns that can be somewhat interchangeable: que, quien, el que, and el cual. Each has a specific use, but there is some variation in how people use them. The following are general patterns for each.

Relative Pronoun Meaning

  • que that, which, who, whom
  • quien who, whom
  • el que that, which, who, whom
  • el cual that, which, who, whom

Notice that Quien is a relative pronoun that can only be used when describing people. It means “who” or “whom” depending on the context. All of the other relative pronouns can mean “that,” “which,” “who,” or “whom” depending on the context.

QUE

The Spanish relative pronoun QUE is very versatile, as it can be used in several ways depending on the context.

  • It can be used to introduce a dependent clause, as in “Yo no sabía que estabas enfermo,” where que introduces the clause “Yo no sabía.” This means “I didn’t know you were sick.”
  • Que can also be used to introduce an adjectival clause, as in “Ese es el libro que está escrito en español,” where que introduces the clause “Ese es el libro.” This means “That is the book that is written in Spanish.”
  • Finally, que can be used to introduce an interrogative clause, as in “¿Qué hora es?” where que introduces the clause “¿Qué hora?” This means “What time is it?”

QUIEN

Quien is a relative pronoun that always refers to a person. It means “who” or “whom” in English. When you use quien, you need to match it in number with the antecedent. If the antecedent is singular, you’ll use quien. If it’s plural, you have to use quienes.

Mi vecina, quien es pintora, acaba de regalarme este cuadro.

My neighbor, who is a painter, just gave me this painting.

Los estudiantes quienes no quieren presentar el examen el día de hoy pueden hacerlo mañana. 

Students who do not want to take the exam today can take it tomorrow.

El que, la que, los que, las que

El que is a relative pronoun that needs to match the gender and number of the noun it refers to.

  • el que – singular, masculine
  • la que – singular, feminine
  • los que – plural, masculine
  • las que – plural, feminine

Example Sentences in Spanish:

El vecino, el que vive encima de ti, tiene un coche nuevo.

The neighbor, the one who lives above you, has a new car.

La ciudad a la que nos mudaremos tiene mejores escuelas.

The city we’re moving to has better schools.

Los ciudadanos, para los que trabajamos, son nuestros jefes.

The citizens, the ones we work for, are our bosses.

Las chicas, las que pueden, eligen estudiar en el extranjero.

The girl, the ones who can, choose to study abroad.

El cual, la cual, los cuales, las cuales

El cual refers to a thing or a person and it is always singular, so it would be used with el in front of it when referring to a thing, and con él when referring to a person. La cual refers to a thing or a person, and it is always singular, so it would be used with las in front of it when referring to a thing, and con ellas when referring to a person. Los cuales refers to things, and it is always plural, so it would be used with los in front of it. Las cuales refers to things, and it is always plural, so it would be used with las in front of it.

  • el cual – singular, masculine
  • la cual – singular, feminine
  • los cuales – plural, masculine
  • las cuales – plural, feminine

Example Sentences in Spanish:

Estoy viendo una colina por encima de la cual está sobrevolando un avión.

I am looking at a hill over which a plane is flying.

Doblé la esquina, detrás de la cual se encontraba la calle más concurrida de toda la ciudad.

I went around the corner, behind which was the busiest street in the whole city.

En aquel tiempo caminábamos mucho por el bosque cerca del cual ahora viven tus primos.

At that time we used to walk a lot in the forest near the one where your cousins live now.

If there’s no preposition, you only use el cual in explanatory clauses, separated by commas.

La prima de nuestro maestro, el cual te cae muy bien, es una cantante famosa.

Our teacher’s cousin, whom you like very much, is a famous singer.

Conclusion

All in all, relative pronouns aren’t too difficult once you get the hang of them. Just remember the uses for each pronoun: who(m)/that for people, and which/that for things. With a little practice, you’ll be using Spanish relative pronouns like a native speaker in no time!

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