You are probably already familiar with the conjunction porque and the interrogative por qué, but what about porqué? Let's learn more about it.
Spanish
English
Nunca me dices el porqué de las cosas.
You never tell me the why of things.
Por qué, Porque, and Porqué
Let's start by briefly reviewing the difference between these three. You will see that it's easier to understand than you think.
Por qué
Rule 1. Por qué is an interrogative, as are qué, cómo, dónde etc. It is used to ask the reason for something. It is always accented and written as two words.
Spanish
English
¿Por qué llegaste tarde?
Why were you late?
Remember that por qué does not necessarily have to be between question marks. It is also used as an indirect question and can be found in the middle of affirmative sentences. Nevertheless, it is written in the same way.
Spanish
English
Ella le preguntó por qué no había venido a almorzar.
She asked him why he had not come for lunch.
Porque
Rule 2. Porque is a conjunction that introduces a sentence that explains the reason for something. In other words, it is the answer to por qué. It is written without an accent and without a space.
Spanish
English
Llegué tarde porque había mucho tráfico.
I arrived late because there was a lot of traffic.
Porqué
Rule 3. When this phrase is written without a space and with an accent, it has the function of a masculine noun that could be translated into English as the why or the reason for.
Spanish
English
Explícame el porqué de tu retraso.
Explain to me the reason for your delay.
How to Use Porqué
Rule 4. Porqué is commonly accompanied by the masculine definite articles el or los. It is usually used as follows:
el/los + porqué + de
Spanish
English
No entiedo el porqué de su reacción.
I don't understand why he reacted that way.
Use los when there is more than one reason.
Spanish
English
No entiendo los porqués de su reacción.
I don't understand the reasons for his reaction.
Rule 5. It is also possible, although less common, to find it used with un.
Spanish
English
Todo tiene un porqué.
Everything has a reason.
Quiz
1/4
¿ ___ eres tan molesto?
0
correct answers.