"para que"

Question

How does one use this phrase?

Answer 1

We use para qué rather than por qué when we have doubt about validity or don´t see a need to what the respondant says, ie: ¿Para qué necesitas mi pluma? (I don´t see the need for you to use mine when you have your own).

¿Por qué necesitas mi pluma? (A valid question of why with no preconceived notion).

Also para qué is used to indicate something similar to What´s the use? (You know your football team is going to lose no matter what, so when a new player is put in the game at the last minute, you ask ¿Para qué? Ya no tiene caso.)

Very interesting JC, gracias :) - Kiwi-Girl, Jul 27, 2013

Answer 2

Close jlwilso:

¿Para qué necesitas mi pluma? = What do you need my pen for?

To write a note for my friend...

Why do you need my pen? --- Because I need.....

I might be wrong though...

Answer 3

¿Para qué? asks about a purpose or a reason and requires an answer with para ("for", "to", "in order to").

¿Para qué necesitas mi pluma? Why do you need my pen?

Para escribir una nota a mi amiga. To write a note to my friend.

Webster's New World Spanish Grammar Handbook Gail Stein 978-0-7645-7897-7