Spanish · Question Words
¿Por qué?
Why?
Beginneradverb
Definition
Used to ask for the reason or cause.
Example
¿Por qué estás triste?
Why are you sad?
Etymology
'¿Por qué?' originates from a combination of the preposition 'por' meaning for and 'qué' meaning what. It literally translates to 'for what' and has become the standard way to ask why in Spanish.
How & Where It’s Used
'¿Por qué?' is used in both spoken and written contexts to question reasons. It is flexible in terms of register, appropriate for casual and formal conversation.