The Spanish Query Mark: ¿How Do You Use it?
The inverted Spanish query mark (¿) is undoubtedly some of the distinctive facets of the Spanish language. In actual fact, Spanish is the one main language that makes use of the upside-down query mark!
So why is it used? I puzzled simply this after I started studying Spanish, however now I’ve grown to like it! Let me let you know why.
Right here’s me in Spain, able to ask questions!
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Desk of contents
Spanish Questions and Why the Spanish Query Marks Are Helpful
You’ll usually discover that Spanish query sentences or query clauses are surrounded by two query marks (¿ ? – one upside-down and one right-side-up, by English requirements).
First, for those who haven’t already, take a look at our article about Spanish questions for some fundamentals on the way to type questions in Spanish.
Now that we all know the way to type primary questions, we all know that there are two methods to make a query in Spanish:
- By utilizing a query phrase (ex. dónde, “the place?”).
In actual fact, in contrast to English, you don’t want to vary something concerning the construction of the sentence or the grammar to make an announcement right into a query. Right here’s what I imply:
Assertion: Quiere comer pan. (“He/she desires to eat bread.”)
Query: ¿Quiere comer pan? (“Does he/she need to eat bread?”)
The one actual distinction between studying these two sentences aloud is that the second may have rising intonation on the finish. In any other case, discover how nothing is completely different, when it comes to the phrases. Fortunately, now we have the inverted query mark firstly signaling to us that the sentence is a query and we’d like rising intonation!
Right here’s a bonus Spanish query tip: Spanish likes to omit topics after they’re understood by means of context, however on this query, it’s potential so as to add the topic for clarification or emphasis. So it’s potential to say issues like ¿Quiere ella comer pan? or ¿Ella quiere comer pan? (“Does she need to eat bread?”). The previous can be extra probably for clarification (since quiere may additionally check with él [“he”] or usted [formal “you”]. The latter is extra like “She [of all people!] desires to eat bread?”
By the best way, bear in mind how I stated that it’s not at all times the total sentence surrounded by the query marks? When you might have an extended sentence, it’s simply the query clause that’s surrounded.
Right here’s an instance of what I imply: Sé tu edad, pero ¿cuántos años tiene él? (“I do know your age, however how previous is he?”)
In case you’re anticipating much more Spanish query phrases, take a look at our article about Spanish dialog starters and questions!
The best way to Kind the Spanish Query Mark
So now you might be questioning the way to kind the Spanish query mark. In case you’re utilizing a keyboard in a Spanish-speaking nation, odds are it’s on there instantly. However don’t fret if not! You possibly can kind it even for those who don’t have a particular Spanish keyboard.
Now, issues might change relying on what mannequin of laptop and settings you might have, however by and enormous, right here’s the way you do it:
In case you’re utilizing a Home windows laptop, press Alt + 168 or Alt + 0191.
In case you’re utilizing a Mac laptop, press Choice + Shift + /.
You possibly can kind them in your smartphone, too!
In case you’re utilizing an Android, press the !#1 button, then the 1/2 button, and it’ll present up.
In case you’re utilizing an iPhone, maintain down on the conventional ? and the choice to kind the ¿ will seem.
Now, talking of texting, needless to say when chatting casually on-line, Spanish audio system usually omit the inverted query mark. So don’t be confused once you see a Spanish textual content ending in a single query mark!
Enjoyable Details concerning the Spanish Query Mark
Now, earlier than we wrap up, I need to let you know some extra fascinating issues concerning the Spanish query mark.
I’m positive you’ve observed by now that Spanish additionally makes use of an inverted exclamation level (¡), which follows related guidelines because the inverted query marl. One option to get extra playful along with your Spanish is combining any combination of 1 or each of those once you’re expressing a query of shock or exclamation.
For instance, these are all potential methods to punctuate the combating phrases “And who do you suppose you might be?!”:
- ¡Y tú quién te crees?
- ¿Y tú quién te crees!
- ¿¡Y tú quién te crees!?
- ¡¿Y tú quién te crees?!
Additionally, the inverted query mark in Spanish is a reasonably current invention. Regardless of a protracted historical past of the Spanish language, it was solely developed within the 1700s. Whereas it’s taken a stronghold now, web customers aren’t the one ones flaunting its use. The Nobel laureate Pablo Neruda refused to make use of it in his writing!
Fascinating, proper?
Able to Ask Questions?
Actually, the Spanish query marks are so helpful and enjoyable, and now I hope you see why. They’ll actually aid you talk higher! So preserve asking questions and preserve going in your path to Spanish mastery. ¡Hasta luego! (“Bye for now!”)
The submit The Spanish Query Mark: ¿How Do You Use it? appeared first on Fluent in 3 Months.
