Upside-Down Question Mark (¿)

Which Languages Use the Upside-Down Question Mark?

The upside-down question mark (¿) is used primarily in Spanish, but other languages have historically used it too.

While Galician and Catalan used to include it, they no longer require the upside-down question mark in modern writing.

Why Does Spanish Use the Upside-Down Question Mark?

In Spanish, word order doesn’t always change in questions, so the upside-down question mark helps avoid confusion.

Compare These Sentences in English and Spanish:

In English, you can tell a question by verb placement (Are you…?) or intonation (You’re home?). But in Spanish, word order can be flexible, making the upside-down question mark essential for clarity.

Where to Place the Upside-Down Question Mark (¿)?

General Rule:

The upside-down question mark goes at the beginning of the question.

✅ Example:

• ¿Dónde estás? (Where are you?)

For Quotes or Dialogue:

Place the upside-down question mark inside the quotation marks before the question.

✅ Example:

• Carmen asked, «¿Dónde estoy?» (Carmen asked, “Where am I?”)

How to Type the Upside-Down Question Mark (¿) on Different Devices

There are many ways to type ¿, depending on your computer or mobile device.

📱 On Smartphones (iPhone & Android)

✅ iPhone:

1. Press "123" on the keyboard.

2. Tap "#+=" for more symbols.

3. Press and hold the question mark (?) and slide to select ¿.

✅ Android:

1. Press and hold the question mark (?) key.

2. Slide to select ¿ when it appears.

💻 On Computers (Mac & Windows)

🌐 Copy & Paste Method

If shortcuts don’t work, just copy and paste this: ¿

FAQs: Upside-Down Question Mark (¿)

Does Spanish have other upside-down punctuation?

Yes! Spanish also uses the upside-down exclamation mark (¡) for exclamatory sentences.

✅ Example:

• ¡Hola! (Hello!)

Why doesn’t English use the upside-down question mark?

English doesn’t need it because word order changes in questions, making them easy to recognize.

✅ Example:

• Are you going? (Verb comes first, showing a question.)

Can I type an upside-down question mark on a Chromebook?

Yes! Try this shortcut: Ctrl + Shift + U, then type 00BF and press Enter.

Is the upside-down question mark optional in Spanish?

No, it’s required in formal Spanish writing.

How do I add a Spanish keyboard to my computer?

• Windows: Go to Settings > Time & Language > Language & Region > Add a Keyboard.

• Mac: Go to System Preferences > Keyboard > Input Sources > Add Spanish.