кто vs который

kto vs kotoryy — who vs which/who that

What it really means

Кто asks or refers to a person: who. Который asks “which” among choices and is the usual relative pronoun for “who/which/that” after an identified noun.

Кто does not normally replace который in a defining relative clause.

Examples in natural speech

Кто это?
Who is this?
Кто пришёл?
Who came?
Который автобус идёт в центр?
Which bus goes downtown?
Это студент, который мне помог.
This is the student who helped me.
Который сейчас час?
What time is it now?

Common mistakes

Do not say студент, кто помог. Say студент, который помог. Который declines to match its role in its clause.

Memory tip

Кто identifies a person; который selects or links an identified noun.

Frequently asked questions

Which pronoun introduces “the man who...”?

Который.

Can который ask the time?

Yes: который час?

Does кто decline?

Yes: кого, кому, кем.

Note: This site uses JavaScript for interactive drills, audio playback, and progress tracking. Please enable JavaScript for the full experience.