There are words in Spanish which change their meaning simply when you use a written accent. Let's look at porque vs por qué which is also written as one word and two words respectively.
Porque
For example:
Nunca veo la televisión porque no ponen nada interesante.
I never watch TV because they never show anything interesting.
Por qué
For example:
¿Por qué trabajas tantas horas al día?
Why do you work so many hours a day?
Ella me preguntó por qué trabajaba tanto.
She asked me why I worked so much.
Here are some more examples:
No llegamos a tiempo porque había mucho tráfico.
We didn't arrive on time because there was a lot of traffic.
¿Por qué te portas tan mal?
Why do you behave so badly?
No entiendo por qué quieres salir con ella.
I don't understand why you want to go out with her.
- Porque = because
- Por qué = why
Learn more about these related Spanish grammar topics
Examples and resources
Ella me preguntó por qué trabajaba tanto.
She asked me why I worked so much.
¿Por qué trabajas tantas horas al día?
Why do you work so many hours a day?
No llegamos a tiempo porque había mucho tráfico.
We didn't arrive on time because there was a lot of traffic.
Nunca veo la televisión porque no ponen nada interesante.
I never watch TV because they never show anything interesting.
No entiendo por qué quieres salir con ella.
I don't understand why you want to go out with her.
¿Por qué te portas tan mal?
Why do you behave so badly?
allison
Kwiziq community member
14 May 2018
2 replies
Why can't you also use "que" here?
Inma
Kwiziq language super star
15 May 2018
15/05/18
Hola Allison,
This is a lesson about using porque (because) versus por qué (why).
Can you clarify your question please?
Gracias
Inma
allison
Kwiziq community member
21 May 2018
21/05/18