Qua is a word with an equally unusual meaning and pronunciation. Simply put, it's a phrase that means in the capacity of. Derived from the Latin word qui, which means who, the qua meaning is somewhat difficult to digest. When using the phrase in a sentence, it means that you’re talking about the thing you’re referencing. For instance, talking about story qua story means you’re either recounting a story or discussing the topic of stories. The qua definition dates back to the 17th century. It’s for this reason why many find the phrase to be pretentious. While thought-provoking, the word is believed to spark more confusion than anything.