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Relative clauses are a fundamental part of Spanish grammar because they allow you to connect ideas and provide additional information about a noun without repeating it. In this article, we’ll explore what relative clauses are, the main types, and how to use them correctly.

What Are Relative Clauses?

Relative clauses are subordinate clauses that describe or modify a noun in the main sentence. They are usually introduced by relative pronouns such as “que” (that/which), “quien” (who/whom), “cuyo” (whose), “el cual” (which), and “donde” (where).

Examples:

• El libro que compré ayer es muy interesante.
  → The book (that) I bought yesterday is very interesting.

• La persona que llamó por teléfono dejó un mensaje.
  → The person who called left a message.

In these cases, “que compré ayer” and “que llamó por teléfono” are relative clauses that provide more information about “el libro” (the book) and “la persona” (the person), respectively.

Types of Relative Clauses

1. Defining (Restrictive) Relative Clauses

These clauses are essential to identify the noun they refer to. Without them, the sentence would be incomplete or ambiguous.

Examples:

• Los estudiantes que estudian mucho obtienen buenas calificaciones.
  → Students who study hard get good grades.

• Las casas que tienen jardín son más caras.
  → Houses that have a garden are more expensive.

Here, “que estudian mucho” and “que tienen jardín” are necessary to specify which students and houses we’re talking about.

2. Non-Defining (Non-Restrictive) Relative Clauses

These clauses only add extra information and are not necessary to identify the noun. They are set off by commas.

Examples:

• Mi hermano, quien vive en Madrid, vendrá de visita.
  → My brother, who lives in Madrid, will visit soon.

• El parque, que está cerca de mi casa, es muy bonito.
  → The park, which is near my house, is very beautiful.

In these sentences, “quien vive en Madrid” and “que está cerca de mi casa” provide additional details about “mi hermano” (my brother) and “el parque” (the park), but the sentences would still make sense without them.

Relative Pronouns and Their Usage

1. “Que” (That/Which/Who)
   The most common relative pronoun, used for people, things, or animals.

   • La casa que compré es muy grande.
     → The house (that) I bought is very big.

   • El perro que adopté es muy cariñoso.
     → The dog (that) I adopted is very affectionate.

2. “Quien / Quienes” (Who/Whom)
   Used exclusively for people, often in non-defining clauses.

   • Mi tía, quien es doctora, trabaja en un hospital.
     → My aunt, who is a doctor, works at a hospital.

   • Los alumnos, quienes fueron seleccionados, recibirán una beca.
     → The students, who were selected, will receive a scholarship.

3. “Cuyo / Cuyos / Cuya / Cuyas” (Whose)
   Indicates possession and agrees in gender and number with the noun it modifies.

   • El escritor, cuyos libros son famosos, ganó un premio.
     → The writer, whose books are famous, won an award.

   • La casa, cuya puerta está rota, necesita reparaciones.
     → The house, whose door is broken, needs repairs.

4. “El cual / La cual / Los cuales / Las cuales” (Which/Who)
   Used in more formal contexts to avoid ambiguity.

   • El proyecto, el cual presentamos ayer, fue aprobado.
     → The project, which we presented yesterday, was approved.

   • Las reglas, las cuales fueron establecidas el año pasado, deben respetarse.
     → The rules, which were established last year, must be followed.

5. “Donde” (Where)
   Refers to a place.

   • La ciudad donde nací es muy pequeña.
     → The city where I was born is very small.

   • El hotel donde nos alojamos era muy lujoso.
     → The hotel where we stayed was very luxurious.

Tips for Using Relative Clauses Correctly

1. Avoid redundancy: Don’t repeat the noun inside the relative clause.

2. Use commas in non-defining clauses: This distinguishes them from defining clauses.

3. Ensure agreement: “Cuyo” must match the gender and number of the noun it refers to.

4. Prefer “quien” for people in non-defining clauses: While “que” can also be used, “quien” is more appropriate in formal contexts.

Conclusion

Relative clauses are essential for enriching language and improving fluency in Spanish. Understanding their structure and usage helps you communicate more clearly and precisely.

Practice with examples, and you’ll see the difference!