Spanish Conversation · Level 3
87 words
Spanish word
porque
Pronunciation
IPA/ˈpoɾke/
Meaning
- conjunctionbecause
Example
No fui a la fiesta porque estaba cansado.
I didn't go to the party because I was tired.
More examples
Te llamé porque quería saber cómo estabas.
I called you because I wanted to know how you were.
Core concept
A linking word that introduces a clause explaining why something happens.
Common phrases
no vine porque
I didn't come because
te lo digo porque
I'm telling you this because
Similar words
ya que: Introduces a reason or justification, often used to explain or excuse an action.
como: Introduces a reason at the start of a sentence, giving background before the main clause.
Definition in Spanish
Conecta una oración principal con una subordinada que expresa la causa o el motivo.
Word origin
It comes from the elements por and que, ultimately from Latin per and quod, and functions as the conjunction meaning 'because', while porqué with an accent denotes the noun 'reason'.
Usage tips
- In casual conversation speakers often omit the rest of the clause after porque and say 'porque sí' to mean 'just because', whereas formal writing expects a full explanatory clause.
Other meanings
- sinceconjunction
- forconjunction