Dónde

Today’s Spanish word of the day is “dónde”.

It’s an adverb meaning “where”.

When used in a question, it’s written with an accent (“dónde”), for example:

• ¿Dónde están mis llaves?

This rule applies even if the question is an indirect question. This means referring to something that you don’t know the answer for, even if you’re not directly asking a question. For example:

• “No recuerdo dónde dejé las llaves.” – I don’t remember where I left the keys.

When used to introduce a subordinate clause rather than ask a question, it’s written without an accent (“donde”), for example:

• Ahí es donde puse las llaves. – That’s where I put the keys.

This pattern of having two spellings depending on the way in which a word is used applies to other question words in Spanish as well. For example, see these contrasting uses of the words “qué” (what) and “cuándo” (when):

• ¿Qué quieres? – What do you want?
• El libro que lees es interesante. – The book that you’re reading is interesting.
• ¿Cuándo vienes? – When are you coming?
• Te llamo cuando llegue. – I’ll call you when I arrive.

The word “dónde” comes from the Latin unde, meaning “from where” or “where”.

Example sentences