conjunction

porque

because

Se usa para explicar la razón o el motivo de algo.

Definition & meaning

The word porque has two primary uses depending on its function in a sentence:

As a conjunction (causal): It is used to express cause, reason, or motive. It translates to "because" or "since" in English. It is always written as one word without an accent mark. Example: No fui al cine porque estaba cansado (I didn't go to the cinema because I was tired).
As a noun: It refers to the cause, reason, or motive behind something. In this case, it is usually preceded by an article (el, un) and functions as a synonym for "the reason" or "the why." Example: Nadie sabe el porque de su decisión (Nobody knows the reason for his decision).

Grammar & Word origin

Grammatically, porque is a subordinating conjunction when used to explain a cause. When used as a noun, it functions as a masculine noun and is always written with an accent mark on the "e" (porqué ) to distinguish it from the conjunction.

Etymologically, it is a compound of the preposition por and the relative pronoun or noun que . It should not be confused with por qué , which is used for interrogative questions ("why"), or por que , which consists of the preposition por and the relative pronoun que (meaning "for which" or "through which").