lequel (interrogatif)

Which One with Lequel

Level 3

Lequel is an interrogative pronoun meaning 'which one' or 'which ones.' It replaces a noun phrase to avoid repetition when you are selecting from a defined set of options.

How It Works

The pronoun lequel is used when the context already establishes what you are talking about. If you see three books on a table, you don't ask 'What book?' (Quel livre ?), you ask 'Which one?' (Lequel ?).

1. Forms and Agreement:
The pronoun changes based on the noun it represents:

  • Lequel: Masculine Singular (e.g., le stylo)
  • Laquelle: Feminine Singular (e.g., la voiture)
  • Lesquels: Masculine Plural (e.g., les livres)
  • Lesquelles: Feminine Plural (e.g., les fleurs)

2. Contractions with Prepositions:
When used with the prepositions à (to/at) or de (of/from), lequel forms mandatory contractions, similar to au or du:

  • à + lequel = auquel (plural: auxquels / auxquelles)
  • de + lequel = duquel (plural: desquels / desquelles)
  • Note: The feminine singular forms 'à laquelle' and 'de laquelle' do not contract.

3. Usage with People:
While qui is the general word for 'who,' lequel is used for people when you are asking to identify a specific person out of a group (e.g., 'Which one of your brothers?').

Examples (5)

  1. J'ai deux stylos. Lequel veux-tu ?

    I have two pens. Which one do you want?

    Word by Word: I have two pens. Which one want you?

    'Lequel' is masculine singular because it replaces 'le stylo'.

  2. Voici des robes. Lesquelles préfères-tu ?

    Here are some dresses. Which ones do you prefer?

    Word by Word: Here are some dresses. Which ones prefer you?

    'Lesquelles' is feminine plural because it replaces 'les robes'.

  3. Il y a trois films. Auquel penses-tu ?

    There are three movies. Which one are you thinking of?

    Word by Word: It there has three movies. To which one think you?

    The verb 'penser à' requires the preposition 'à', which contracts with 'lequel' to become 'auquel'.

  4. Laquelle de ces filles est ta sœur ?

    Which one of these girls is your sister?

    Word by Word: Which one of these girls is your sister?

    'Laquelle' is used here to pick one person out of a specific group of girls.

  5. Tu as choisi tes cours ? Desquels as-tu besoin ?

    Have you chosen your classes? Which ones do you need?

    Word by Word: You have chosen your classes? Of which ones have you need?

    The expression 'avoir besoin de' requires 'de', which contracts with 'lesquels' to become 'desquels'.

Common Mistakes

  • Using 'lequel' as an adjective followed by a noun.

    Lequel livre veux-tu ?
    Quel livre veux-tu ? (or) Lequel veux-tu ?

    'Lequel' is a pronoun and replaces the noun. If you want to keep the noun in the sentence, you must use the interrogative adjective 'quel'.

  • Stranding the preposition at the end of the sentence (English word order).

    Lequel penses-tu à ?
    Auquel penses-tu ?

    In French, prepositions must come before the pronoun. You cannot end a sentence with 'à' or 'de'.

  • Forgetting to contract 'à' or 'de' with the pronoun.

    À lequel penses-tu ?
    Auquel penses-tu ?

    Just like 'à + le' becomes 'au', 'à + lequel' must become 'auquel'. This is mandatory.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

lequel (interrogatif)Level 3Which One with Lequel

Learn This First

To understand 'lequel', you first need to be familiar with the interrogative adjective 'quel' (which/what) and how definite articles like 'le' and 'la' function. Since 'lequel' replaces a noun, you must also understand how to apply gender and number agreement to ensure the pronoun matches the noun it refers to.

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lequel