Sorry! Search is currently unavailable while the database is being updated, it will be back in 5 mins!

En qué quedamos...

One of our latest videos includes an example of an interesting way to pose a question:
 

¿En qué le puedo ayudar?

How can I help you?

Caption 6, Cita médica - La cita médica de Cleer

 Play Caption

BANNER PLACEHOLDER

In this example, the combination of the preposition en (in, on) and the interrogative word qué (literally “in what”) means how (cómo)Even though the expression cómo puedo ayudarle (how can I help you) exists in Spanish, using en qué instead is a very common choice for native speakers, especially when the expression is meant to be a greeting. In fact, it can be argued that there's a subtle difference between saying ¿en qué puedo ayudarle? (literally "what can I help you with") and ¿cómo puedo ayudarle? (how can I help you): the first one is a polite greeting, while the second one is a general question. Compare the following examples:
 
Hola ¿en qué puedo ayudarle? - Quiero ordenar a domicilio.
Hi, how can I help you? -I want to order for delivery.

¿Cómo puedo ayudarle, tía? - Ayúdame a rebanar el pan.
How can I help you, Aunt? -Help me slice the bread.
 
But that’s not the only meaning of en qué. Here’s a notable example:

 

Oye, y ¿en qué trabajas?

Hey, and what do you do [for a living]?

Caption 82, Ricardo - La compañera de casa

 Play Caption


 En qué can also be used to ask about a location. It's roughly equivalent to dónde (where):
 

¿En qué lugar se enamoró de ti?

In what place did he fall in love with you?

Caption 7, Marc Anthony - Y cómo es él

 Play Caption


 En qué can also be used to talk about time. It's roughly equivalent to cuándo (when):
 
¿En qué momento sucedió?
When (in what moment) did it happen?
 
There are many fixed questions that use en qué. The question en qué consiste is worth learning:
 

¿En qué consiste tu trabajo, Paco?

What does your job consist of, Paco?

Caption 42, 75 minutos - Del campo a la mesa

 Play Caption

 

BANNER PLACEHOLDER

Finally, there are also idiomatic expressions that use en qué. For example, en qué quedamos (literally "in what we agreed”):

 

¿En qué quedamos? ¿Va a tener una herencia o no?

What did we settle on? Is he going to have an inheritance or not?

Caption 46, Muñeca Brava - 30 Revelaciones

 Play Caption

 

Expressions