How to Say ‘Why’ in Portuguese
Porque é que
pur-KEH eh keh
[pur-KEH eh keh]
💬 Usage Tip: Portuguese often says [porque é que ...?] for [why ...?], where English would just use [why]. You can reuse the pattern with other verbs: [Porque é que parou?] = [Why did you stop?].
Phrase Breakdown
Porque
[pur-KEH]
why / because
Here it appears in a question structure meaning 'why' when followed by 'é que'. On its own, 'porque' can also mean 'because'.
Porque é que está a escolher esta rua?
Why are you choosing this street?
é
[eh]
is
Form of the verb 'ser' meaning 'is'. In 'é que', it helps form an emphatic question.
Porque é que o taxista vai por aqui?
Why is the taxi driver going this way?
que
[keh]
that
Very common linking word. In 'é que', it is part of a fixed question pattern used in European Portuguese.
Porque é que estamos nesta rua?
Why are we on this street?
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