The use of 'x' in Spanish
Can somebody please tell me why X is used in different places in Castillian?
I understand when they write the days of the week they use it like LMXJV as to differentiate between martes and miércoles but why, in certain cases - especially slang, they use xk for por qué?
Gracias!
3 Answers
X is the symbol for multiplication, "times"
2x5 = two times five = dos por cinco. Therefore, "x" takes the place of "por".
k takes the places of "qué", having come down from "ke".
xk is just a texting shortcut for writing out the whole word. It is used a lot in Mexico as well. In texting they also often leave the e off of estar. stoy, etc.
Gekkosan's answer also reminded me that ke is used for que.
¿Ke stás? Where are you?
It is just to differentiate from the "m" from martes and the "m" from miércoles. Still, that is "incorrect" and it should NOT be used. As "Xk" meaning ¿Por qué?, it is simple. X (times in English) is "Por" in Spanish. If you want to say. "Five times tree equals fifteen", In Spanish you would say. "Cinco por tres es quince" Note that here, "por" is a totally different word than Por (for). Sounds the same, but context will tell you what "por" you are referring to. Therefore, "Xk" looks like ¨por+k" ¿por qué? It is incorrect written Spanish as well, but as in English, it is the cell phone "texting" language.
