Elegant descriptive clauses
When you want to add extra, non-essential information about a noun—using a clause separated by commas—you can use the formal relative pronouns el cual, la cual, los cuales, and las cuales.
They translate to "which" or "who." While you can often just use que in these comma-separated (non-defining) clauses, using el cual and its variants adds a polished, formal tone, especially in writing or careful speech.
Matching gender and number
Because these pronouns include a definite article (el, la, los, las), they must perfectly match the gender and number of the noun they describe.
For singular nouns, use el cual (masculine) or la cual (feminine):
| The new dojo, which is very big, has a strict rule. | El nuevo dojo, el cual es muy grande, tiene una regla estricta. |
| The breathing, which must be calm, helps to focus. | La respiración, la cual debe ser tranquila, ayuda a concentrarse. |
Describing people
These pronouns aren't just for objects or concepts; they work perfectly for people, too. When referring to a person, they translate to "who" instead of "which."
| The adversary, who was tired, made a mistake. | El adversario, el cual estaba cansado, cometió un error. |
Plural forms
For plural nouns, simply use los cuales for masculine nouns and las cuales for feminine ones. Notice how any adjectives inside the descriptive clause must also agree with the original noun:
| The movements, which flow well, are beautiful. | Los movimientos, los cuales fluyen bien, son hermosos. |
| The rules, which require discipline, are valuable since they protect the dojo. | Las reglas, las cuales requieren disciplina, son valiosas ya que protegen el dojo. |
