Level A1Sentence StructureGramática 15.3.4

porque vs por qué

because vs why

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because vs why

porque (no accent, one word) answers why: Estudio español porque me gusta. Por qué (accent, two words) asks why.

Notice the contrast:porquepor qué

Examples in context

Read the examples and compare their English meanings.

Asking Why

Two words with a question mark.

¿Por qué estudias español?

Why do you study Spanish?

Answering Because

One word to give the reason.

Estudio español porque me gusta.

I study Spanish because I like it.

Common mix-ups

Compare: ¿Porqué estudias español?Use here: ¿Por qué estudias español?

You must use two words and an accent when asking a question.

Why do you study Spanish?

Try a reply

Say or write your answer in Spanish before opening the example.

Why are you leaving? Because I am tired. Use the masculine form of tired.

Show one possible answer

¿Por qué te vas? Porque estoy cansado.

Other wording can work too. Compare the verb form, agreement, and word order with the lesson. Then try a sentence about your own day.

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