In this article, we will focus on Spanish words with QU. In Spanish, the /k/ sound has different spellings. It is produced by the letter K followed by any vowel, but it’s also produced by the letters C and QU.

For example, you get the /k/ sound by pronouncing the –ca-, –co– and –cu– combinations or by pronouncing the –que– and –qui– combinations. Just like in English, in Spanish the Q is always followed by a U, but this letter U is silent.

Spanish Words with QUE

The letters –que– sound like the K in kept or ketchup. Here is a list of nouns with –que-.

  1. el albaricoque (apricot)
  2. la arqueología (archaeology)
  3. el banquero or la banquera (banker)
  4. el banquete (banquet, feast)
  5. el bloque (block)
  6. el boquerón (anchovy)
  7. el bosque (forest)
  8. el buque (ship)
  9. la búsqueda (search)
  10. la chaqueta (jacket)
  11. el cheque (check)
  12. el chequeo (check-up)
  13. el chubasquero (raincoat)
  14. el críquet (cricket)
  15. el duque or la duquesa (duke, duchess)
  16. el enfoque (focus)
  17. el esqueleto (skeleton)
  18. el esquema (outline)
  19. el estanque (pond)
  20. la etiqueta (label, tag)
  21. la maqueta (mockup)
  22. el marqués or la marquesa (marquis, marchioness)
  23. el meñique (little finger)
  24. la orquesta (orchestra)
  25. el paquete (parcel, package)
  26. el parachoques (bumper)
  27. el parque (park)
  28. el parque de atracciones (amusement park)
  29. el parque de bomberos (fire station)
  30. el parque natural (natural park)
  31. la peluquería (hair salon)
  32. el peluquero or la peluquera (hairdresser)
  33. el penique (penny)
  34. la queja (complaint)
  35. la quemadura (burn)
  36. la quesadilla (quesadilla, Mexican food)
  37. el queso (cheese)
  38. la raqueta (racket)
  39. la riqueza (wealth)
  40. los vaqueros (jeans)

Let’s see some examples of verbs and adjectives containing this syllable.

  1. bloquear (to block)
  2. empaquetar (to wrap, to package)
  3. quedar (to meet)
  4. quemar (to burn)
  5. querer (to love, to want)
  6. requerir (to require)
  7. asqueroso (disgusting)
  8. pequeño (little, small)
  9. querido (darling)
  10. turquesa (turquoise)

Spanish Words with QUI

Now we’ll review words with the combination –qui-. This sounds like the K in king or kidney.

  1. el alquiler (rent)
  2. el arquitecto or la arquitecta (architect)
  3. el coloquio (discussion, debate)
  4. las cosquillas (tickling, tickles)
  5. el croquis (sketch)
  6. la equidad (equity)
  7. el equilibrio (balance)
  8. el equipaje (baggage)
  9. el equipamiento (equipment)
  10. el equipo (team)
  11. la equitación (horse riding)
  12. el esmoquin (tuxedo)
  13. el esquí (skiing)
  14. el esquiador or la esquiadora (skier)
  15. la esquina (corner)
  16. el flequillo (hair bangs)
  17. la franquicia (franchise)
  18. la horquilla (hair pin)
  19. el inquilino or la inquilina (tenant)
  20. la izquierda (left)
  21. el líquido (liquid)
  22. el maniquí (mannequin)
  23. la mantequilla (butter)
  24. el maquillador or la maquilladora (make-up artist)
  25. el maquillaje (make-up)
  26. la máquina (machine)
  27. el or la maquinista (engine driver)
  28. la mezquita (mosque)
  29. el mosquito (mosquito)
  30. el obsequio (present, gift)
  31. la orquídea (orchid)
  32. la parroquia (parish, church)
  33. la quiebra (collapse, bankruptcy)
  34. el quilate (carat)
  35. la química (chemistry)
  36. el quimono (kimono)
  37. la quincena (two weeks)
  38. la quinoa (quinoa)
  39. el quiosco (kiosk, newsstand)
  40. el quirófano (operating room)
  41. el quitaesmalte (nail polish remover)
  42. el quitamiedos (crash barrier)
  43. el requisito (requirement)
  44. la sequía (drought)
  45. la taquilla (ticket office)

Here is a list of verbs with –qui-.

  1. adquirir (to buy, to purchase)
  2. alquilar (to rent, to hire)
  3. conquistar (to conquer)
  4. equipar (to equip)
  5. equivaler (to be equal)
  6. esquilar (to shear)
  7. liquidar (to clear out, to sell off)
  8. maquillar (to make up)
  9. quitar (to remove)
  10. tranquilizar (to calm)

Let’s have a look at some adjectives containing –qui-.

  1. asequible (affordable)
  2. caqui (khaki)
  3. coloquial (colloquial, informal)
  4. equivalente (equivalent, equal)
  5. equivocado (wrong, mistaken)
  6. exquisito (exquisite)
  7. inquieto (apprehensive)
  8. quieto (still)
  9. quisquilloso (fussy)
  10. tranquilo (calm, quiet)

Exercises

Here are some exercises to practice Spanish words with QU. You can do exercises with words with CH, H, J, K, Ñ, R, W, X, Y or Z.

Exercise 1

Exercise 2

Exercise 3

Categorized in:

Vocabulary