The Spanish letter ‘q’ is always followed by ‘u’ and then a vowel, creating the sound /k/. This combination appears in a variety of common and less common vocabulary. Examples include que (that, which, what), queso (cheese), and querer (to want, to love).
Understanding this digraph is fundamental to Spanish pronunciation and spelling. Its consistent pronunciation simplifies its use for learners, while the words containing it represent a core part of the language’s lexicon, appearing in everyday conversation, literature, and various forms of media. Historically, this orthographic feature evolved from Latin, influencing other Romance languages as well.