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"Por que" is a form of "por que", a phrase which is often translated as "why". "Cuando" is a form of "cuando", a conjunction which is often translated as "when". Learn more about the difference between "por que" and "cuando" below.
por que(
pohr
keh
)A phrase is a group of words commonly used together (e.g., once upon a time).
1. (for which)
a. why
Estoy embarazada. Ese es el motivo por que te llamo.I'm pregnant. That's why I'm calling you.
b. for
Los premios por que competían no resultaban muy atractivos.The prizes they were competing for weren't very attractive.
c. that
La razón por que estoy aquí es por que quería pedirte perdón.The reason that I am here is that I wanted to say sorry.
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Al final los padres optaron por que su hija no participara en el concurso.In the end, the parents chose not to have their daughter take part in the contest.
Están ansiosos por que empecemos a trabajar en el proyecto.They're eager for us to begin work on the project.
cuando(
kwahn
-
doh
)A conjunction is a word that connects words, phrases, clauses, or sentences (e.g., The cat and the dog slept.).
a. when (specific moment)
Cuando hace calor, nos gusta desayunar en el jardín.When it's hot, we like to have breakfast in the yard.
b. as (specific moment)
Justo cuando empezábamos a divertirnos, se cortó la luz.Just as we were starting to have fun, the lights went out.
a. if
Cuando se calla sobre el problema, es que debe de saber algo.If she remains silent about the problem, she must know something.
b. since
No sé por qué te sorprendes tanto cuando todo el mundo anda hablando del tema.I don't understand why you're so surprised, since everyone's speaking about the issue.
a. when
¡Le estás contando a todos que soy un mentiroso, cuando no es verdad!You are telling everybody that I'm a liar, when it's not true!
An adverb is a word that describes a verb, an adjective, or other adverbs (e.g., to run quickly, very tired).
a. even if
¿Por qué me mentiste cuando sabías que tarde o temprano me iba a enterar de la verdad?Why did you lie to me even if you knew that sooner or later I'd find out the truth?
b. even though
Tommy siguió insistiendo en ir al cine cuando los amigos ya habían decidido jugar fútbol.Tommy kept insisting on going to the cinema even though his friends had already decided to play soccer.
A preposition is a word that indicates the relationship between a noun and another word (e.g., He ran through the door.).
