Que & Porque - Are they interchangeable at times?

Question

So, I found this phrase:

Ayúdame que yo También soy Mexicano

(It is the name of some non-profit organization.)

So, I have been wondering about the use of 'que' in this sentence. At times, I try to use 'que' as it is used above, and sometimes I get it right and sometimes I don't. It almost looks as if you could use 'porque' instead.

When I searched 'que' in the dictionary (here on SpanishDict), one definition said 'because'.

Can anybody explain the grammar and/or give some examples of the usage.

Thank you!

Answer 1

While its meaning is very close to "porque" and it probably was shortened from it, there is another way to look at this colloquial usage of que: a dash used for clarification.

Help me –I am Mexican too.

That is interesting... I had never thought of that before. - NikkiLR, Jan 8, 2011

Man, and I thought se was overused! :-) - webdunce, Jan 8, 2011

It's just.. so logical.. Yes.. - culé, Jan 8, 2011

Answer 2

I have heard this construction used, but not often. I would guess that it is a shortened version of a very wordy construction such as "Ayúdame por la razón que yo también soy mexicano."

Another common way to say this is "Ayúdame pues yo también soy mexicano."

Ah, yes... I am very familiar with the usage of 'pues'. It can be translated as 'for' (Help me, for I am ...) - NikkiLR, Jan 8, 2011

Pues is "as," too. - JoyceM, Jan 8, 2011

Answer 3

Hi alma.

Well, yes, sometimes it can be translated as because. Because sometimes it seems to give some reasons. For example:

"Tengo que irme que mi madre me llama."

But I wouldn't say:

"Tengo que irme que te quiero."

The latter just doesn't sound right to me. It's like a gut. I've searched a little bit and I think there may not be a grammar rule...

Thank you for the examples :) - NikkiLR, Jan 8, 2011

Answer 4

I wonder, is this similar to the way that "es que" is used sometimes?

From what I have learned, 'es que' is used to give reasons or explanations.

Es que no tengo dinero. It's just that I don't have any money.

Es que no me siento bien. It's just that I don't feel well.

I was thinking more along the lines of its use as a muletilla, or as a pause between words - Izanoni1, Jan 8, 2011

Hmm... I have never heard it that way before. - NikkiLR, Jan 8, 2011

Answer 5

there is another way to look at this colloquial usage of que: a dash used for clarification.

Help me –I am Mexican too.

I wonder, is this similar to the way that "es que" is used sometimes?