In this article, we are going to learn and practice reported speech questions in Spanish. As you know, in Spanish, when you change a direct statement into indirect speech, you remove the quotes and introduce the information that another person has said starting with the word que (that).

You have to make changes to the language that would be within the quotes if expressed as direct speech, changing the pronouns and the verb tenses so that the original message is maintained.

Miguel: «Me gusta el chocolate». (direct speech)

Miguel, “I like chocolate.”

Miguel dice que le gusta el chocolate. (indirect speech)

Miguel says that he likes chocolate.

When you change a direct question into indirect speech, the process is largely the same. You will have to pay close attention to pronouns and verb tenses to make sure that you keep the original message. However, indirect questions require the use of another conjunction instead of the que or in addition to the que. We’ll see a few examples.

Reported Speech Questions in Spanish

There are a few key points to consider when it comes to reported speech questions in Spanish. Firstly, it is important to note that there are two types: with or without question words. Their formation can differ based on whether they include question words or not.

With Question Words

When changing questions that include question words (cuándo, dónde, cómo, quién, etc.) into the indirect speech, you will generally use that same question word as a conjunction instead of que. Since the indirect speech asks a question, albeit indirectly, these words will keep their written accents. Let’s look at a few examples.

Marta pregunta: «¿Quién tiene un bolígrafo?»

Marta is asking, “Who has a pen?”

Marta pregunta quién tiene un bolígrafo.

Marta is asking who has a pen.

Raquel pregunta: «¿Cuándo visitas las universidades?»

Raquel is asking, “When do you visit colleges?”

Raquel pregunta cuándo visitas las universidades.

Raquel is asking when you visit colleges.

Fernando pregunta: «¿Dónde jugáis al fútbol cuando hace frío?»

Fernando asks, “Where do you play soccer when it is cold?”

Fernando pregunta dónde jugáis al fútbol cuando hace frío.

Fernando is asking where we play soccer when it is cold.

Mario pregunta: «¿Quién quiere café?»

Mario is asking: “Who wants coffee?”

Mario pregunta quién quiere café.

Mario is asking who wants coffee.

Using the que before the question word is also correct, but it is not as common in spoken Spanish: Mario pregunta que quién quiere café.

Yes / No Questions

When a direct question is formed without using a question word, use the conjunction si (if, whether) when writing it in indirect speech.

La enfermera pregunta a Ana: «¿Tienes dolor de cabeza?»

The nurse is asking Ana, “Do you have a headache?”

La enfermera pregunta a Ana si tiene dolor de cabeza.

The nurse is asking Ana if she has a headache.

Zacarías pregunta a Carolina: «¿Crees que mi moto es mejor que la tuya?»

Zacarías asks Carolina, “Do you think my motorcycle is better than yours?”

Zacarías pregunta a Carolina si ella cree que su moto es mejor que la suya.

Zacarías is asking Carolina if she thinks that his motorcycle is better than hers.

La mujer pregunta al médico: «¿Cree usted que mi padre tiene cáncer?»

The woman asks the doctor, “Do you think my dad has cancer?”

La mujer pregunta al médico si cree que su padre tiene cáncer.

The woman asks the doctor if he thinks that her dad has cancer.

Elena: «¿Quieres una taza de té?»

Elena, “Do you want a cup of tea?”

Elena pregunta si quieres una taza de té.

Elena is asking if you want a cup of tea.

With yes / no questions, using que before the si is also correct, but again it’s not very popular in spoken Spanish: Elena pregunta que si quieres una taza de té.

Exercises

Now it’s time to practice the sentences containing reported speech questions in Spanish.

Exercise 1

Exercise 2

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Sentences