Porqué (en. Because)

/poɾˈke/

Meaning & Definition

EnglishSpanish

conjunction

Expresses the cause or reason for something.

I didn't go to the party because I was tired.

No fui a la fiesta porque estaba cansado.

Used to answer questions about causes.

Why did you arrive late? Because there was a lot of traffic.

¿Por qué llegaste tarde? Porque había mucho tráfico.

From Latin 'quod', meaning 'because'.

because not

indicates that it is not possible to do something.

porque no

because yes

expresses a reason without the need for explanation.

porque sí

why not

suggestion or invitation to do something.

por qué no

reason

noun that means the reason or cause.

porqué

for which

expression that introduces a purpose or motive, but fragmented.

por que

Used in an ironic sense.

Of course, why not? As if that were going to happen.

Claro, ¿por qué no? Como si eso fuera a suceder.

Colloquial way to respond to a complaint.

Because that's how things are, and there's no more to it.

Porque así son las cosas, y no hay más.