Spanish Relative Pronouns: Applications, Examples and Tables | tell me in spanish (2023)

Was, was, was,Andwhichare some examples of Spanish relative pronouns. Because they help you connect sentences while adding more information, relative pronouns are crucial in Spanish to better express your ideas.

However, like othersSpanish pronouns, these words follow some specific rules that you must follow. So, in this guide you will find explanations and examples of how and when to use relative pronouns in Spanish. Here's what we'll cover:

• What are relative pronouns
• Types of Spanish relative pronouns
  • Was
  • WHO
  • Which
  • was / was
  • Wo
• Important points
• Downloadable PDF

So let's get to that.

What are relative pronouns in Spanish?

Spanish relative pronounsconnecttwo sentences related to a previously mentioned noun(previously)and don't want to say it again. Check these examples:

In the sentences above, each pair of sentences refers to the same noun. However, repeated mention of these nouns is repetitive and unnecessary. So in Spanish we use the relative pronoun tocombinethese clauses and avoid duplication:

The red carWasI like it, it's very expensive.
The red carTheI like is very expensive.

My brother's friendWHOShe's a doctor, she's very nice.
my brother's friendWHOis a doctor, is very nice.

You can combine a with Spanish relative pronounsprimarilysentence with asubordinate clause. As we'll soon learn, choosing the right relative pronoun depends on the type of noun or compound you're trying to make.

Observe:A subordinate clause, also called a subordinate clause, provides additional information about the main clause. For this reason, subordinate clauses cannot stand alone as they would not convey the full meaning of the sentence.

Types of Spanish relative pronouns: when and how to use them

In Spanish there isfiveRelative pronoun. Although they all refer to persons, things, actions, or ideas, each relative pronoun can only be combined with certain types of nouns.

Also, some relative pronouns in Spanish have a single form (invariable pronouns), regardless of whether they work with singular or plural nouns. Others, however, have to switchMark the gender of the nounor number (variable pronouns).

Observe: Relative pronouns are similar toSpanish question words. But unlike question words, these pronouns don't have an accent mark.

Was -The

Wasis the most common relative pronoun in Spanish, as it can be combined with most nouns.Wasrefers to singular and plural concepts, persons, things, actions or animals.

Here are some examples:

[noun] + que + [verb] + [subordinate clause]

The phoneWasI bought it is very good.
The phoneTheI bought is very good.

The girlWasIt's there, it's my sister.
The girl over There's my sister.

watch the movieWasI recommended her.
watch the movieTheI recommended you guys.

Observe: Unlike in German, relative pronouns cannot be omitted in Spanish.

WHO -Who who

WHOis a formal Spanish relative pronoun that always refers to persons. As a result,WHOhas a plural and a singular form. This relative pronoun must be surrounded or preceded by a comma.

[noun] + [comma] + wer/wen + [complement]

Luisa,WHOShe was David's boss, she works here.
Luisa,WHOwas David's boss, works here.

I saw my cousins ​​yesterdayWHOYou will move to Paris.
Yesterday I saw my cousinsWHOmove to Paris.

Observe: Relative clauses provide essential information or non-essential information. Non-essential information is additional detail that can be omitted and is usually surrounded by commas (as in the examples above).

The/the – which/who

The fact thatAndwhichare relative pronouns used to talk about people or things. They mean "which", "who" or "whom". Because they are built withSpanish definite articles, these pronouns denote gender and number. Here are the different forms you will use:

Masculine nouns

• the
• Those who / Which

Feminine nouns

• was / was
• Those who / Which

[main clause] + which/which + [subordinate clause]

the van inwhichwe would break down
The truckwhichWe had broken down.

There are two necklaces on the tablewhichThey are from your grandmother.
There are two necklaces on the tablewhichbelong to your grandmother.

Observe: Relative pronouns not preceded by or surrounded by commas provide important details for understanding and identifying the noun. For example,where we wereprovides important information about the broken truck.

What / Which –What / Which

WhichAndwhichare Spanish relative pronouns that refer toTestifyorideas. Like other relative pronounswhichrefers to a concept or statement mentioned in the main clause:

[main clause] + comma + local clause + [subordinate clause]

I heard you're angrywhichMakes no sense.
I heard you're upset, whichmakes no sense.

Marco always bites his nailswhichI find it annoying.
Marco always bites his nails, whichi find it annoying.

On the other hand,whichrefers to aimplicitlyStatement, concept, or idea that is understood because it has been discussed before:

do you remember?whichdid I tell you the other day?
Do you rememberWasI told you the other day?

You know what it iswhichit bothers me.
you know itWasbothers me.

Wo -Wo

In Spanish, the relative pronounWoused to denote places and locations.Wois an invariable pronoun, meaning it does not denote gender or number.

[noun] + donde + [subordinate clause]

This is the placeWoI met your mother.
This is the placeWoI met your mother.

The schoolWoWork needs more teachers.
The schoolWoI'm working, need more teachers.

This Spanish relative pronoun can be replaced withthe fact thatorwhich.

Relative Clauses & Spanish Prepositions

Often Spanish are relative pronounsprecededby a preposition. When a relative clause has a preposition, we add information related to destination, origin, company, location, etc. Check out these examples:

[subject] + [preposition] + [relative clause]

My friend,Awhom I admire very much, is a doctor.
My friend,Towho I admire so much is a doctor.

BoysconThose who work are very friendly.
The guyswithwho we work are very nice.

HeimInwhat we currently live in is very small.
The houseInthat we currently live is very small.

By combining a preposition with a relative pronoun, you can add some nuance to your relative clause. Note that prepositions in Spanish mustalways be put in frontthe relative pronoun.

Observe:whoand its plural and feminine forms are relative adjectives. Unlike Spanish relative pronouns, relative adjectives work with a noun rather than replacing it.Louise, theirsSisterShe's your neighbor, she's my boss.

Important points

Relative pronouns are aArt of Pronounsthis will help you join two clauses together. Here are some key points to keep in mind:

• Spanish relative pronounsconnecttwo sentences referring to the same noun or pronoun.
• Sheavoid repetition.
• Relative pronouns in Spanish can beimmutableAndVariable. In other words, some of them only have a single shape while others change to denote gender and number.
• There arefive most importantRelative pronouns in Spanish:
  • Was: talks about people, things, animals or concepts.
  • WHO: always refers to persons and is in the plural.
  • was / was: are interchangeable and refer to people or things. They denote the gender or number of the noun by thedefinite article.
  • was / was: talk about concepts or statements.
  • Wo: refers to places and places.

Download the Relative Pronouns PDF

After learning a Spanish grammar topic like relative pronouns, it can be difficult to remember all of its rules and types. So I made a PDF with the rules and examples that you can download for free so you can study and practice this topic whenever you want.