How to Say What's This in Spanish | MostUsedWords.com
As of 2026, the phrase "How to say what's this in Spanish" remains a fundamental question for language learners. The most common way to ask about an unfamiliar object is by saying ¿Qué es esto? (IPA: /ke es ˈes.to/).
2,500 most common Spanish words with IPA pronunciation & bilingual example sentences
How to Say 'What's This?' in Spanish
The phrase ¿Qué es esto? is used across all Spanish-speaking countries to inquire about the identity or nature of an object. It’s a versatile expression that can be adapted for different contexts, such as asking what something is when you encounter it unexpectedly.
Cultural Context and Alternative Phrases
Want to improve your Spanish?
The Spanish Frequency Dictionary series covers the 10,000 most common Spanish words — ranked by how often native speakers actually use them, with IPA pronunciation, English translations, and bilingual example sentences at every level.
Browse all 4 volumes →In addition to ¿Qué es esto?, there are other phrases used in Spanish-speaking cultures to ask about unfamiliar objects. For instance, in a more casual setting, you might hear someone say ¿De qué se trata? (What is it about?) or ¿A qué se refiere? (What does this refer to?). These alternatives can be useful depending on the situation and formality level.
Sample Sentences for 'What's This?' in Spanish
To help you practice, here are several sample sentences:
- ¿Puedes decirme qué es esto?
- ¿Qué es esto aquí?
- ¿Qué es esto en mi mano?
- ¿Qué es esto en la calle?
- ¿Qué es esto en el plato?
(Can you tell me what this is?)
(What's this here?)
(What's this in my hand?)
(What's this on the street?)
(What's this on the plate?)
Build Your Spanish Vocabulary Systematically
The fastest way to grow your Spanish vocabulary is to start with the words you'll actually encounter every day. The Spanish Frequency Dictionary covers the 2,500 most common Spanish words, each with IPA pronunciation, an English translation, and bilingual example sentences.
Browse the full range of Spanish frequency dictionaries to find the volume that matches your level.