Spanish grammar: preguntas directas e indirectas

What this grammar point covers

In Spanish, direct and indirect questions are ways to ask for information. Direct questions ask something directly, while indirect questions are included inside another sentence.

When to use it

Use direct questions when you want to ask someone something directly. Use indirect questions when you want to ask or talk about a question inside another sentence, for example, when you want to know or say what someone is asking.

Key forms

• Direct question: ¿ + verb + subject + ... ? (¿Dónde vives?)
• Indirect question: introductory phrase + question word + verb + subject (Quiero saber dónde vives.)

Examples

Tips

• In direct questions, always use question marks (¿ ... ?).
• In indirect questions, do not use question marks and the word order is like a normal sentence.
• Remember to use accent marks on question words: qué, cómo, cuándo, dónde, etc.

Exceptions and edge cases

• In indirect questions, the question word still has an accent mark.