Spanish Relative Pronoun Que ~ Pronombre relativo

Just like in English, a Spanish relative pronoun links a dependent/relative clause (i.e., a clause that cannot stand alone) to a main clause. In this lesson we'll discuss que - the simplest and most common Spanish relative pronoun. Depending on context, the English equivalent can be who, whom, that, or which. Although relative pronouns are sometimes optional in English, they are always required in Spanish.

Que is used to join a main clause with a dependent or relative clause. It always replaces a word from the dependent clause: 

Que replaces the subject (person or thing):

Busco al profesor. Él vive en Barcelona. 
Busco al profesor que vive en Barcelona. 
I'm looking for the teacher (who) lives in Barcelona.

Voy a comprar el libro. Él tiene cien páginas.
Voy a comprar el libro que tiene cien páginas.
I'm going to buy the book that has 100 pages.

Que replaces the direct object (person or thing):

Ana quiere al hombre. Yo lo vi.
Ana quiere al hombre que yo vi.
Ana loves the man (that) I saw.

Perdí la pluma. Mi hermano la compró.
Perdí la pluma que mi hermano compró.
I lost the pen (that) my brother bought.

Spanish Pronouns     Spanish for Beginners

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