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porque

por-kehˈpoɾke

“porque” means “because” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

because

Also: since, as, so that
A person holding an open umbrella and pointing up at a single dark rain cloud above them, explaining the reason for the umbrella.

📝 In Action

No salgo porque llueve.

A1

I'm not going out because it's raining.

Estudio español porque quiero viajar a México.

A1

I'm studying Spanish because I want to travel to Mexico.

Llegué tarde porque había mucho tráfico.

A2

I arrived late because there was a lot of traffic.

—¿Por qué no viniste a la fiesta? —Porque estaba muy cansado.

A2

—Why didn't you come to the party? —Because I was very tired.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • ya que (since, because)
  • puesto que (since, given that)

Common Collocations

  • porque sí – just because
  • porque no – just because / why not

the reason

Also: the why
NounmB1
A detective looking closely at a large question mark on a chalkboard, representing the search for a reason.

📝 In Action

No entiendo el porqué de tu enojo.

B1

I don't understand the reason for your anger.

Ella nunca explicó el porqué de su decisión.

B1

She never explained the reason for her decision.

Todo en esta vida tiene un porqué.

B2

Everything in this life has a reason.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • el porqué de las cosas – the reason for things

🔀 Commonly Confused With

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "porque" in Spanish:

as→because→since→so that→the reason→the why→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: porque

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence correctly says 'I don't know the reason'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
porque(because) — Conjunction
porqué(the reason) — Noun
por qué(why) — Adverbial Phrase
📚 Etymology▼

It comes from two old Latin words mashed together: 'pro' (meaning 'for') and 'quid' (meaning 'what'). So, it literally started as a way to say 'for what' or 'the reason for which'.

First recorded: 12th century

Cognates (Related words)

Portuguese: porqueItalian: perchéFrench: parce que / pourquoi

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Frequently Asked Questions

What's the simplest way to remember the difference between 'porque' and 'por qué'?

Here's an easy trick! '¿Por qué?' (two words, accent) is for asking questions: 'Why?'. 'Porque' (one word, no accent) is for giving answers: 'Because...'. Questions and answers!

And what about 'el porqué'?

Think of 'el porqué' as a noun, like 'el libro' (the book). It means 'the reason' itself. If you can replace it with 'la razón' in the sentence, you're probably using it correctly. For example, 'No entiendo el porqué' is the same as 'No entiendo la razón'.