Differences between Por qué, Porque, Porqué

You are probably already familiar with the conjunction porque and the interrogative por qué, but what about porqué? Let's learn more about it.

Por qué, Porque, and Porqué

Let's start by briefly reviewing the difference between these three. You will see that it's easier to understand than you think.

Por qué

Rule 1. Por qué is an interrogative, as are qué, cómo, dónde etc. It is used to ask the reason for something. It is always accented and written as two words.

Remember that por qué does not necessarily have to be between question marks. It is also used as an indirect question and can be found in the middle of affirmative sentences. Nevertheless, it is written in the same way.

Porque

Rule 2. Porque is a conjunction that introduces a sentence that explains the reason for something. In other words, it is the answer to por qué. It is written without an accent and without a space.

Porqué

Rule 3. When this phrase is written without a space and with an accent, it has the function of a masculine noun that could be translated into English as the why or the reason for.

How to Use Porqué

Rule 4. Porqué is commonly accompanied by the masculine definite articles el or los. It is usually used as follows:

el/los + porqué + de

Use los when there is more than one reason.

Rule 5. It is also possible, although less common, to find it used with un.