The difference between "Por qué" and "Porque" Share Copied!
"Por qué" and "porque" mean the same thing, but they are used in different contexts.
Gramática: La diferencia entre "Por qué" y "Porque"
A2 Spanish Difference between "por qué" and "porque"
Level: A2
Module 1: Viajar: ¡A lo desconocido! (Travelling: into the wild!)
Lesson 7: Como turista en la ciudad (As a Tourist in the City)
Teaching guidelines +/- 15 minutes
Audio and video
- "¿Por qué?" is used to ask the reason for something, while "porque" introduces an answer or explanation.
- We use “por qué” in direct and indirect questions.
- We use “porque” to give a cause or reason.
| Uso (Use) | Por qué/ Porque (Why/ Because) | Ejemplo (Example) |
|---|---|---|
| Pregunta directa (Direct question) | ¿Por qué? | ¿Por qué caminas tanto? (Why do you walk so much?) |
| Pregunta indirecta (Indirect question) | Por qué | No sé por qué se ha perdido. (I don't know why it has gotten lost.) |
| Causa (Cause) | Porque | Me he perdido porque no he consultado el plano. (I got lost because I did not consult the map.) |
| Razón simple (Simple reason) | Porque | Estamos aquí porque queremos ver una exposición. (We are here because we want to see an exhibition.) |
| Explicación (Explanation) | Porque | He cogido un taxi porque no quiero ir de paseo. (I took a taxi because I don't want to go for a walk.) |
| Excusa (Excuse) | Porque | No he hecho la foto porque tengo la cámara. (I haven't taken the picture because I have the camera.) |
Exceptions!
- "Porque" is a causal conjunction, without an accent or space.
Exercise 1: La diferencia entre "Por qué" y "Porque"
Instruction: Fill in the correct word.
por qué, Por qué, porque
Exercise 2: Translate and use in a sentence
Instruction: Pick a word, translated and use the word in a sentence or dialogue.
1
por qué
why
2
porque
because
3
Por qué
Why