Spanish · B1 · Everyday language
Which One Exactly in Spanish
This guide focuses on identifying specific people or objects from shared memories using relative clauses. In Spanish, we use the relative pronoun 'que' (that/which/whom) to link these ideas, ensuring clarity when reminiscing about school activities.
What you'll learn
- Identify objects using relative clauses
- Distinguish between people and objects in relative phrases
- Understand the placement of the relative pronoun 'que' as a direct object
- Learn when to use the personal 'a' with relative pronouns referring to people
Spanish phrases for which one exactly
¿Es esa la mochila que compramos juntos?
Is that the backpack that we bought together?
'Que' acts as the direct object of the verb 'compramos'.
Aquí está el lápiz que le prestaste a tu amigo.
Here is the pencil that you lent to your friend.
Note that 'que' cannot be omitted in Spanish like 'that' sometimes is in English.
¿Es esta la fiambrera que dejaste en el colegio?
Is this the lunchbox that you left at school?
'Fiambrera' is a common term for lunchbox; 'lonchera' is also used in Latin America.
Ese es el profesor que conocimos en el club deportivo.
That's the teacher whom we met at the sports club.
'Que' is the most common relative pronoun for both people and things.
¿Dónde está el libro que leímos anoche?
Where is the book that we read last night?
The verb 'leímos' is in the preterite tense.
Este es el dibujo que pintaste para la abuela.
This is the picture that you painted for Grandma.
'Dibujo' is used here for a picture painted or drawn by a child.
¿Son estos los zapatos que usaste para el fútbol?
Are these the shoes that you wore for football?
'Usar' or 'llevar' can be used for wearing clothes/shoes.
Esos son los niños a los que invitamos a tu fiesta de cumpleaños.
Those are the children whom we invited to your birthday party.
'A los que' is used here because the relative pronoun refers to people as a direct object (Personal 'a').
Hear these phrases and practise them
Tildi plays every phrase out loud, tests you in five-minute lessons and builds them into bedtime stories from your own picture books.
Try it free for 7 daysKey words
Mochila
Backpack
A feminine noun, very common in school contexts.
Fiambrera
Lunchbox
Common in Spain; in many Latin American countries, 'lonchera' is preferred.
Prestar
To lend
Requires the indirect object pronoun (e.g., 'le prestaste').
Dibujo
Drawing/Picture
Refers to a piece of art created by hand.
Relative Pronoun 'Que'
In Spanish, 'que' is the universal relative pronoun used for both people and things. Unlike in English, you can never omit 'que'. It connects a main clause to a subordinate clause that describes a noun.
| Use | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| With Objects | Sustantivo + que + Verbo | El libro que compramos. |
| With People | Persona + que + Verbo | La maestra que viste. |
Relative Pronouns for People (Direct Object)
When the relative pronoun refers to a specific person who is the direct object of the verb, we often use 'a quien' or 'al que / a la que' to satisfy the 'personal a' rule in Spanish.
| Use | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Singular | a quien / al que | El niño al que llamaste. |
| Plural | a quienes / a los que | Los amigos a los que invitamos. |
More examples
El abrigo que perdiste ayer está en el coche.
The coat that you lost yesterday is in the car.
Identifies a specific item using a past action.
Las pinturas que te regaló papá son muy bonitas.
The paints that Dad gave you are very pretty.
Shows the relative pronoun 'que' following a plural feminine noun.
¿Recuerdas a la niña a la que ayudaste?
Do you remember the girl whom you helped?
Uses 'a la que' because the girl is a specific direct object.