Quiénes

Quienes is the plural form of the Spanish pronoun quien, and it appears in two main functions depending on context. In direct or exclamative questions, the form is written with an acute accent as quiénes (for example, ¿Quiénes vienen?). In indirect questions, the accent is preserved as well (No sé quiénes morirán). As a relative pronoun, the form quienes (without an accent) is used to refer to people previously mentioned or known, introducing clauses that describe them (Las personas, quienes llegaron temprano, recibieron certificados).

Etymology and related forms: Quien derives from the Latin quis, with the plural form quienes used in non-question contexts. In questions, the accent on quién or quiénes marks the interrogative or exclamative sense. The relative pronoun quien (singular) and quienes (plural) can replace phrases like las personas que, los que, or las que, and they tend to be more formal or literary in registers.

Usage notes: Quienes can function as a subject or object within the subordinate clause of a sentence, always referring specifically to people. It is commonly used after prepositions in formal writing, as in con quienes, entre quienes, o para quienes. While quien(es) is the preferred relative pronoun in many contexts, los/las que or cuyo/cuya structures may be used as alternatives depending on style and formality.

Summary: Quienes serves as the plural interrogative pronoun form with accent in questions and as the plural relative pronoun without accent in clauses about people. Its use emphasizes individuals or groups and aligns with formal or written Spanish.