Spanish Phrase
¿Qué trae esta comida?
Meaning
Literally, 'What does this food bring?' In everyday Spanish it is used to ask about the ingredients or components of a particular dish, especially when you want to know what’s inside before you eat it.
When to use
Use this question at a restaurant when the menu description is vague, at a friend's house when you’re curious about a homemade recipe, or when you have dietary restrictions and need to check for allergens.
✦Grammar Breakdown
¿Quétraeestacomida?
¿Qué (interrogative pronoun)
Used to ask 'what' about something; always carries an accent on the 'e' in questions.
trae (present of traer)
Third‑person singular present of the verb 'traer' (to bring). In this context it asks what the dish 'brings' (contains).
esta (demonstrative adjective)
Points to something close to the speaker; agrees in gender and number with the noun that follows.
comida (noun)
Means 'food' or 'dish' and is feminine singular, so it matches the demonstrative 'esta'.
🗨In Conversation
¿Qué trae esta comida?
What does this dish contain?
Lleva pollo, arroz y una salsa de tomate picante.
It has chicken, rice, and a spicy tomato sauce.
✕Common Mistakes
Que trae esta comida?
Missing the accent changes the meaning; 'Que' without accent is a conjunction, not a question word.
¿Qué traer esta comida?
Using the infinitive 'traer' instead of the conjugated form 'trae' makes the sentence ungrammatical.
¿Qué trae este comida?
The demonstrative must agree in gender; 'comida' is feminine, so it should be 'esta comida'.
↔Alternatives
¿Qué lleva esta comida?
What does this dish have?
¿Qué contiene este plato?
What does this plate contain?
¿Cuáles son los ingredientes de esta comida?
What are the ingredients of this food?
Cultural Tip
In many Spanish‑speaking countries, asking about ingredients is considered polite and shows respect for the cook’s effort. It’s especially important if you have allergies, are vegetarian, or follow religious dietary laws. Note that “traer” is more colloquial; “llevar” or “contener” are slightly more formal alternatives.