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
¿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?
Ella me preguntó por qué trabajaba tanto.
She asked me why I worked so much.
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