What are the differences between qué and cuál in Spanish?

Answer 1

Both can be translated as "what," so it can sometimes be confusing. The translation may even be exactly the same, but the meaning is different, because the "Qué es ...?" formulation is not common in English, and would be misunderstood out of context. (See the example below.)

 

Cuál has a meaning that is more like "which," even though the natural way to say it in English would still be "what."

 

Qué is more like "what" in the sense of asking for a definition or explanation.

 

For instance,

"Cuál es tu comida preferida?" = "What [or which] is your favorite food?" Answer: Tacos!

"Qué es tu comida preferida?" = "What is 'your favorite food'?" Answer: It's the one you most like eating.

Answer 2

Cuál is used when asking somebody to choose one item from a group. For example, ¿Cuál is your favorite color/song/class/food/sport/team?

 

Qué is used when asking about somebody’s actions or decisions. For example, ¿Qué did you do/buy/say/learn yesterday?