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The difference between "por qué" and "porque"

Learn the difference between "por qué" and "porque" in Spanish.

Gramática: La diferencia entre "por qué" y "porque"

A2 Spanish Difference between "por qué" and "porque"

Level: A2

Module 3: Planes para el fin de semana (Weekend plans)

Lesson 19: Visita el campo (Visit the countryside)

Teaching guidelines +/- 15 minutes

Audio and video

Audio with translations
Audio with translations

  1. "¿Por qué?" is used to ask direct or indirect questions. It is written separately, with an accent and exclamation marks.
  2. "Por qué" is used to ask indirect questions. It is written separately and with an accent.
  3. "Porque" is used to give an answer or to explain something. It is written all together.
  4. "Porque" can introduce the reason or cause of something.
ExpresiónFunciónEjemplo
Por quéPregunta directa¿Por qué el cerdo corre por la granja? (Why does the pig run around the farm?)
Pregunta indirectaNo sé por qué la vaca no quiere comer hoy. (I don't know why the cow doesn't want to eat today.)
PorqueResponder a una pregunta

¿Por qué alimentas a la gallina? (Why are you feeding the hen?)

Porque tiene hambre. (Because he is hungry.)

Dar una razón o causaEl caballo está tranquilo porque lo han alimentado. (The horse is calm because it has been fed.)

Exercise 1: La diferencia entre "por qué" y "porque"

Instruction: Fill in the correct word.

Show translation Show answers

por qué, Por qué, porque

1.
¿... el pato no come hoy?
(Why isn't the duck eating today?)
2.
El cerdo duerme mucho ... está cansado después de correr.
(The pig sleeps a lot because it is tired after running.)
3.
¿... la cabra no bebe agua hoy?
(Why isn’t the goat drinking water today?)
4.
Alimentamos al gallo tarde ... no tiene hambre ahora.
(We feed the rooster late because it is not hungry now.)
5.
No sé ... las ovejas siempre están con las cabras.
(I don't know why the sheep are always with the goats.)
6.
Los patos no vienen ... quieren estar en el agua.
(The ducks don't come because they want to be in the water.)
7.
El toro está fuerte ... come mucho.
(The bull is strong because it eats a lot.)
8.
Alimentamos al caballo primero ... tiene hambre.
(We feed the horse first because it is hungry.)

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

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