“Por qué,” “porque,” “porqué,” and “por que” look almost identical, but each has a different meaning in Spanish. Many learners (and even natives!) mix them up. after mastering the differences don’t forget to Test yourself with our interactive quiz at the end—it’s the perfect way to practice!
❌ Incorrect: “No entiendo porque dijiste eso.”
✅ Correct: “No entiendo por qué dijiste eso.”
In this guide, you’ll learn:
✔ When to use each term (with easy rules)
✔ Real-life examples (+ English translations)
✔ Common mistakes to avoid
✔ A quick quiz to test your knowledge
Let’s solve this grammar puzzle once and for all!
📌 Key Differences (Simple Explanations)
1. Por qué = “Why?” (Question or Indirect Question)
- Used in questions (direct & indirect).
- Always separated (two words).
- English equivalent: “Why?”
Example Sentences:
¿Por qué lloras?
“Why are you crying?”
No sé por qué llegaste tarde.
“I don’t know why you arrived late.”
2. Porque = “Because” (Answer to “Why?”)
- Explains a reason (like “because” in English).
- One word, no accent.
Example Sentences:
Lloro porque estoy triste.
“I cry because I’m sad.”
No fui porque estaba enfermo.
“I didn’t go because I was sick.”
3. Porqué = “The Reason” (Noun, Needs an Article)
- A noun meaning “the reason” or “the cause.”
- Always has an article (el, un, este, algún).
Example Sentences:
No entiendo el porqué de su enojo.
“I don’t understand the reason for his anger.”
Dime un porqué para creerte.
“Give me a reason to believe you.”
4. Por que = “For Which” / “Because of Which” (Less Common, Formal)
- Used in formal writing.
- Can mean “for which” or “because of which.”
- Often replaced with “por el/la cual.”
Example Sentences:
La razón por que discutieron fue grave.
“The reason for which they argued was serious.”
🇪🇸 Es el motivo por que lo denuncié.
“It’s the reason because of which I reported it.”
🔎 Quick Comparison Table (For Visual Learners)
| Term | Function | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Por qué | Question word (“Why?”) | ¿Por qué vas? (“Why are you going?”) |
| Porque | Answer (“Because”) | Voy porque tengo prisa. (“I go because I’m in a hurry.”) |
| Porqué | Noun (“The reason”) | Explica el porqué. (“Explain the reason.”) |
| Por que | Formal (“For which”) | La razón por que vine… (“The reason for which I came…”) |
📌 Example Sentences: “Por qué” vs “Porque” vs “Porqué” vs “Por que”
| Spanish Example | English Translation | Grammar Tip |
|---|---|---|
| ¿Por qué estudias español? | “Why do you study Spanish?” | Question (always 2 words + accent) |
| No sé por qué te enojaste. | “I don’t know why you got angry.” | Indirect question (still separated + accented) |
| Estudio español porque quiero viajar. | “I study Spanish because I want to travel.” | Answer/reason (1 word, no accent) |
| El porqué de su decisión es claro. | “The reason for his decision is clear.” | Noun (needs article: el/un/este porqué) |
| La razón por que discutieron es grave. | “The reason for which they argued is serious.” | Formal (replaceable with por la cual) |
💡 Bonus: Common Mistakes Fixed
❌ “No entiendo porque lloras.”
✅ Correct: “No entiendo por qué lloras.” (“I don’t understand why you’re crying.”)
❌ “Dime porque llegaste tarde.”
✅ Correct: “Dime por qué llegaste tarde.” (“Tell me why you arrived late.”)
❌ “Me preguntó el por qué de mi viaje.”
✅ Correct: “Me preguntó el porqué de mi viaje.” (“He asked me the reason for my trip.”)
🎯 Pro Tip:
- For questions → Por qué (Why?)
- For answers → Porque (Because)
- For “the reason” → El porqué (The why/reason)
- For formal writing → Por que (For which)
Basic Level Quiz
📝 Beginner Quiz: “Por qué” vs “Porque” (Present Tense)
Choose the correct option for each simple sentence. Answers at the bottom!
Advanced Quiz
📝 Quiz: Test Your Knowledge of “Por qué” vs “Porque” vs “Porqué” vs “Por que”
Can you spot the correct usage? Choose the right option for each sentence. (Answers at the bottom!)
