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QUICK ANSWER
"Por qué" is a form of "por qué", a phrase which is often translated as "why". "El que" is a phrase which is often translated as "the one that". Learn more about the difference between "el que" and "por qué" below.
el que
A phrase is a group of words commonly used together (e.g., once upon a time).
a. the one that
¿Cuál es tu carro? - El que está estacionado junto al árbol.Which one is your car? - The one that is parked by the tree.
b. whichever
¿Qué camino elijo? - El que elijas te llevará a la aventura.What path should I choose? - Whichever you choose will take you on an adventure.
por qué()
A phrase is a group of words commonly used together (e.g., once upon a time).
A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
