How to Form Yes/No Questions in Spanish: A Complete Guide


Learning Spanish is exciting, but forming questions can be tricky, especially if you want to sound natural. Yes/no questions are some of the most common types of questions in Spanish. Mastering them will help you in everyday conversations, travel, and even professional settings. This guide will teach you how to form yes/no questions, use proper intonation, and apply them in real-life scenarios.

What Are Yes/No Questions in Spanish?

Yes/no questions are questions that can be answered with either “sí” (yes) or “no” (no). They are different from open-ended questions, which usually begin with question words like qué (what), dónde (where), or cómo (how).

Examples:

  • ¿Hablas español? → Do you speak Spanish?

  • ¿Tienes hambre? → Are you hungry?

  • ¿Vas a la fiesta? → Are you going to the party?

Notice that in Spanish, the question begins and ends with inverted punctuation: ¿ at the beginning and ? at the end.

Basic Structure of Yes/No Questions

There are three main ways to form yes/no questions in Spanish:

1. Using intonation

You can turn a statement into a question by raising your voice at the end. This is the simplest way in informal conversation.

Statement:

  • Tú hablas español. → You speak Spanish.

Question (with intonation):

  • Tú hablas español? → Do you speak Spanish?

Tip: In writing, you should still use inverted question marks, but in speech, tone is key.

2. Inverting the Subject and Verb

Spanish allows you to switch the subject and verb to form a question, especially in formal writing or speech.

Statement:

  • Ella come pizza. → She eats pizza.

Question:

  • ¿Come ella pizza? → Does she eat pizza?

This method is common in textbooks and formal communication.

3. Using Question Tags or Short Phrases

Sometimes, Spanish speakers add tag questions to confirm information, similar to “right?” or “isn’t it?” in English.

Examples:

  • Tú hablas español, ¿verdad? → You speak Spanish, right?

  • Ella viene mañana, ¿no? → She’s coming tomorrow, isn’t she?

These are very useful in casual conversation.

Tips for Correct Pronunciation and Intonation

  1. Raise your voice slightly at the end of yes/no questions.

  2. Stress the verb or key word to emphasize the question.

  3. Practice with common verbs like tener, ser, estar, ir, and poder.

Example practice:

  • ¿Tienes tiempo? → Do you have time?

  • ¿Eres estudiante? → Are you a student?

  • ¿Está listo? → Is he/she ready?

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Forgetting the inverted question mark: Always start a question with ¿.

  • Using the wrong verb form: Make sure the verb matches the subject.

  • Misplacing intonation in speech: Raising your voice too early can make the sentence confusing.

Correct example:

  • ¿Vas a la escuela? → Do you go to school?
    Incorrect example:

  • Vas a la escuela? → Less formal, can confuse beginners.

Practice Exercises

Try converting the following statements into yes/no questions:

  1. Tú comes manzanas. → ?

  2. Ellos estudian español. → ?

  3. Nosotros vamos al cine. → ?

Answers:

  1. ¿Tú comes manzanas?

  2. ¿Ellos estudian español?

  3. ¿Nosotros vamos al cine?

Final Thoughts

Forming yes/no questions in Spanish is easier than it seems once you understand the rules. Focus on:

  • Proper verb conjugation

  • Subject-verb order

  • Correct punctuation and intonation

With regular practice, you’ll be able to confidently ask questions in any situation—whether traveling, studying, or speaking with native Spanish speakers.