Porque, porqué, and por qué

[Tomisimo]

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?

[chileno]

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. :-)

[AngelicaDeAlquezar]

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.

[poli]

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

[chileno]

Originally Posted by poli

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.

[Nico]

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 qué 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.

[irmamar]

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

[poli]

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

[irmamar]

Originally Posted by poli

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

[CrOtALiTo]

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.

[Tomisimo]

Originally Posted by CrOtALiTo

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.

I don't understand your question.

[chileno]

To me "porqué" is news.

Yo escribiría:"Expliquen el por qué de sus actos"

That's how it was taught in school.

[irmamar]

Maybe these links are useful:

http://www.edu365.cat/eso/muds/caste...rque/eines.htm

http://www.rae.es/rae/gestores/gespub000018.nsf/(voAnexos)/arch8100821B76809110C12571B80038BA4A/$File/CuestionesparaelFAQdeconsultas.htm#ap27

[CrOtALiTo]

Originally Posted by Tomisimo

I don't understand your question.

Yes How are they used into of the Spanish?

I mean, How do you use them in the Spanish.


David something else?

[irmamar]

Originally Posted by CrOtALiTo

Yes How are they used into of the Spanish?

I mean, How do you use them in the Spanish.


David something else?

I explained in #7

[AngelicaDeAlquezar]

¡Oh, cielos! ¡"Porqué" existe! My old teachers will have a lot to answer for.

[bobjenkins]

Originally Posted by AngelicaDeAlquezar

¡Oh, cielos! ¡"Porqué" existe! My old teachers will have a lot to answer for.

Es raro que un instructor enseña una cosa y un otro instructor enseña un otro!

[CrOtALiTo]

Originally Posted by irmamar

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

I got it.


I didn't see this post, I'm sorry.

[AngelicaDeAlquezar]

Originally Posted by bobjenkins

¡Es raro que un instructor enseña enseñe una cosa y un otro instructor enseña enseñe un otro otra!

True, but it has to do with evolution of language and the way decisions on regional variations are taken. I was taught basically well, but the little details are surfacing lately.
For some time (at least in Mexico), what was "correct" and what was "incorrect" had more to do with what sounded better to the directors of education institutions than with agreed standards. So, many times, they taught their own mistakes, prejudices and/or anachronic schemes. For example: I was taught to accentuate words like "fé", "pié", "fué" and only in highschool I came to know this kind of words didn't need a written accent anymore.

[CrOtALiTo]

Yeah, there are teachers who speaks things different to the other ones, but basically it depend much of the kinds of studies that they have and sometimes the schools have the thread defined for the same institution.