Lessons 31: Why Because in Spanish (Videos 1 & 2)

Why Because in Spanish

Lets begin by stressing that “por qué” and “porque” have different meanings.

Literally speaking, if we do a word for word translation, “por qué” means “for what”. So, “for what” is how we say WHY in Spanish.

But the word for “because” is one word: PORQUE (note how there is no space, because it is only one word).

Also, the question “why” (por qué) carries a “tilde” (é), while the answer “because” (porque) doesn’t carry a tilde. That is because “que” always carries a tilde when it implies a question.

For more information regarding the rules for Spanish accents, please refer to the following lessons:

Lesson 294: Spanish accent rules (tildes) – Rule 1

Lesson 295: Spanish diphthongs & hiatus – Part1

Lesson 296: Spanish diphthongs & hiatus – Part 2

Lesson 297: Spanish accent rules (tildes) – Rule 2

Lesson 298: Spanish accent rules (tildes) – Rule 3

Lesson 299: Spanish accent rules (tildes) – Rule 4

Why Because in Spanish – Examples

• ¿Por qué corres? – Why do you run?
• Porque estoy apurado/a – Because I am in a hurry
• ¿Por qué bebes tanta agua? – Why do you drink so much water?
• Porque tengo mucha sed – Because I am very thirsty
• ¿Por qué comes tanto? – Why do you eat so much?
• Porque tengo mucha hambre – Because I am very hungry
• ¿Por qué lloras? – Why do you cry?
• Porque estoy triste – Because I am sad
• ¿Por qué te vas? – Why do you leave?
• Porque debo ir a trabajar – Because I must go to work

I recommend all my students that follow my online courses to do the exams that I upload to my website. The topic of this lesson (Why Because in Spanish) is included in Spanish Quiz Nbr. 5 (lessons 27 – 34).

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