Inverted Question and Exclamation Marks

Spanish · Essentials

Introduction

Spanish questions and exclamations start with an upside-down mark and end with the normal one.

markuse
¿ ... ?questions
¡ ... !exclamations
  • ¿Dónde vives?Where do you live?
  • ¡Qué sorpresa!What a surprise!
  • Dónde vives?¿Dónde vives?

Only Around the Question

The opening mark goes where the question or exclamation starts, which isn't always the start of the sentence.

  • Bueno, ¿vienes o no?Well, are you coming or not?
  • Si puedes, ¿me llamas mañana?If you can, will you call me tomorrow?
  • Juan, ¡ven aquí!Juan, come here!

Other Details

Don't put a full stop after ? or !. A sentence can continue after the closing mark with a lowercase letter.

  • ¿Qué hora es? ¿Las tres?What time is it? Three?
  • ¡Qué frío hace!, dijo Ana."It's so cold!" said Ana.
On most phone keyboards, hold down ? or ! to find ¿ and ¡.

Practice

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