Por qué / para qué
Does anyone have a very brief way to remember when to use POR QUÉ in a question and when to use PARA QUÉ in a question? Sometimes the difference seems obvious, other times, it seems like either would work equally.
Search from various English teachers...
Answers · 8
4
Hi there ! you speak Esperanto ! wow ! not a lot of people do that!
My take on this matter is:
- "Por qué" is "why". You want to know the reason behind the subject in question.
- "Para qué" is related more to the purpose of it. What's the usefulness of a certain thing
A: Por qué me preguntas eso ? ( Why do you ask me that ?) => you want to know the reason why
B: Porque tengo una duda ( Because I have a question)
A: Para qué me preguntas eso? ( What do you ask me that for?) => what is the purpose of your question
B: Para saber exactamente la diferencia entre estas dos opciones (In order to know the difference between these two options)
PS: I don't encourage translating for learning purposes. However, sometimes mirroring the two languages can help, especially when teaching adults. Some of us are more logical learners, which as valid as any intuitive learner out there
Hope this helps !
=)
Martin
1
¿Por qué quieres aprender español? y ¿ Para qué lo necesitas?
1
¿por qué?: why?, how come?
¿para qué?: what for?
saludos!
0
No, no es igual, porque es el motivo y para que es el objetivo
Still haven’t found your answers?
Write down your questions and let the native speakers help you!
Don’t miss out on the opportunity to learn a language from the comfort of your own home. Browse our selection of experienced language tutors and enroll in your first lesson now!
Start Learning Today
