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"Esta" is a form of "esta", an adjective which is often translated as "this". "Por qué" is a form of "por qué", a phrase which is often translated as "why". Learn more about the difference between "esta" and "por qué" below.
esta(
ehs
-
tah
)
An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
adjective
a. this
Esta silla está rota. Siéntate mejor en esa.This chair is broken. You'd better sit on that one.
A pronoun is a word that stands in for a noun (e.g., she).
pronoun
a. this
Esta es la casa con la que siempre soñé.This is the house I always dreamed of.
b. this one
No me gustó esa novela. En cambio, esta me encantó.I didn't like that novel. On the other hand, I loved this one.
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por qué(
pohr
 
keh
)
A phrase is a group of words commonly used together (e.g., once upon a time).
phrase
a. why (adverb)
¿Por qué no te gustan las guayabas?Why don't you like guavas?
a. why (adverb)
Me gustaría saber por qué los gatos ronronean.I would like to know why cats purr.
a. what (pronoun)
¡Por qué cascadas más hermosas pasó la lancha!What beautiful waterfalls the skiff passed through!
A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
masculine noun
a. reason
No tenían por qué sospechar que yo era un espía.They had no reason to suspect I was a spy.
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