What is por que?

"Por qué" is a Spanish phrase that requires careful attention as it can be easily confused with other similar phrases. It's crucial to understand when and how to use it correctly. Here's a breakdown:

• Meaning: "Por qué" translates to "why" when asking a question. It indicates the reason or cause for something.

• Structure: It consists of the preposition "por" and the interrogative pronoun "qué".

• Usage: It's specifically used in direct and indirect questions.

  • Direct Questions: When asking a direct question, "por qué" is placed at the beginning or within the sentence, typically followed by a verb. For example: "¿Por qué estás triste?" (Why are you sad?)

  • Indirect Questions: In indirect questions, "por qué" introduces a subordinate clause that asks a question indirectly. For example: "No sé por qué me dijiste eso." (I don't know why you told me that.)

• Distinction from porque, por que, el porqué: It's essential to differentiate "por qué" from "porque" (because), "por que" (used before a relative pronoun or when "que" is part of another expression), and "el porqué" (the reason).