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Porque, porqué, and por qué

 

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  #1  
Old July 10, 2009, 01:27 AM
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Porque, porqué, and por qué

For some reason I have a hard time keeping these three expressions straight in my head.
  • porqué
  • porque
  • por qué
Any suggestions on how to remember the differences between the three without having to look in a grammar book every so often?
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  #2  
Old July 10, 2009, 06:59 AM
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I was taught that por qué is used for questions and porque for replies. I was never taught porqué. Now that I searched RAE, I see that is to be treated as por qué. :-)
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  #3  
Old July 10, 2009, 08:08 AM
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I agree with Hernán.

"Por qué" is to ask a question and "porque" is to reply. I was taught that "Porqué" is an incorrect expression.

-- ¿Por qué no viniste?
-- Porque tenía cosas qué hacer.
-- Entonces quiero que me digas por qué no me avisaste que no vendrías.
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Old July 10, 2009, 08:17 AM
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That's easy porque means because.
Por qué means why.
It has an equivalent in English. Example:
Why did you do it?
The reason why is, I was feeling generous.

The reason why = because
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Old July 10, 2009, 08:19 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by poli View Post
That's easy porque means because.
Por qué means why.
It has an equivalent in English. Example:
Why did you do it?
The reason why is, I was feeling generous.

The reason why = because
Le diste de plano/lleno.
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  #6  
Old July 10, 2009, 08:21 AM
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Por qué:
1.To ask the question (why),
2. It is also used implicitly when one expects an answer. For example in Angelica's last example:
Entonces quiero que me digas por qu
é no me avisaste que no vendrías.
It is obviously not in the form of a question, but the por québeing used implies that there will be a response as to why.
3. When one expresses doubt or negativity:
No sé por qué es así.
4.
Finally, in phrases that follow this structure:
No tienes por qué llorar.


Porque
1. The simple answer of "because."

Porqué
1. The nominal form: literally: the because....for example:
Expliquen el porqué de sus actos.
From what I have learned, I don't think it is an incorrect expression.
I'm afraid these rules are a little more complex than the Spanish I "why" and "because" that we learned in school.

Last edited by Nico; July 10, 2009 at 08:24 AM.
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  #7  
Old July 10, 2009, 08:26 AM
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Something is lacking here (por que):

Por qué (question): ¿Por qué te fuiste?
Por qué (the same, but in indirect questions) No sé por qué te fuiste.
Porque (answer): Me fui porque estaba cansado.
Porqué (noun): No sé el porqué de tu llamada.
Por que (reason = por lo que): Fue por eso por que (= por lo que) me fui
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Old July 10, 2009, 08:33 AM
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Nice explanation of porqué Nico.
I never knew the term before.
For those of you who are not native English speakers, the equivalent in English is the why and the wherefore.
example:
I don't know the why and the wherefore of your actions.

The why and the wherefore can be substitited with the reason for
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Last edited by poli; July 10, 2009 at 08:35 AM.
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  #9  
Old July 10, 2009, 09:22 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by poli View Post
Nice explanation of porqué Nico.
I never knew the term before.
For those of you who are not native English speakers, the equivalent in English is the why and the wherefore.
example:
I don't know the why and the wherefore of your actions.

The why and the wherefore can be substitited with the reason for
Yes, but "por que" is still lacking there
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  #10  
Old July 10, 2009, 11:33 AM
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They are used as in the English Porque is used into of the sentence and the other one is used into of a question.

But you have mentioned three choices, but anyway I have the doubt above them, How are they used into of the Spanish.

If you can give me examples it will be better than without example.


I appreciate your help anyhow.
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