es que
/es ke/from spelling rules
The English phrase "it is that" is translated into Spanish as es que.
es que is used to mean "it is that". In spoken Spanish, it is most commonly used to signal an excuse or a clarification. Another informal expression used to convey "it is that" is pasa que.
Which one should you use?
While es que can mean "it is that" in a literal sense, it is most commonly used in spoken Spanish to signal an excuse or a clarification, whereas a literal es que (it is that) is much rarer in formal writing.
How does it change in a sentence?
In the phrase es que, the word que functions as a conjunction introducing a subordinate clause that explains the reason for something.
How do you pronounce it?
/es ke/
Did you know?
- The word es is cognate with the Sanskrit word अस्ति, which also means 'is'.
- In some dialects, speakers may drop the es and simply start their excuse with que, treating the omitted verb as implied.
- In spoken Spanish, starting a sentence with es que often signals to the listener that a 'but' or a refusal is coming, even before the speaker finishes the sentence.
Examples in context
- ¡Qué bueno y qué agradable es que los hermanos se sienten juntos!How good and how pleasant it is that brothers sit together!This sentence is useful for showing how es que can be part of an exclamation regarding how pleasant certain things are.Tatoeba #10065179 by manufrutos, translation #10065051 by shekitten
- Quien piensa: "A día de hoy todos hablan inglés" o "todo el mundo habla inglés" sin preguntarse qué sector de la población mundial habla inglés, y cuál es su nivel de aptitud comunicativa, es que no quiere ver la realidad delante de sus ojos.Whoever thinks: "These days, everyone speaks English" or "The entire world speaks English" without asking what portion of the global population it is that speaks English, and how well they can speak it, is someone who does not want to see the reality in front of their eyes.This sentence uses es que to explain a person's refusal to see reality.Tatoeba #1696684 by termito2nd, translation #1768660 by reyaln
- Resulta que el proyecto tomará más tiempo del esperado.It turns out that the project will take more time than expected.
- Oye, ¿sabes qué? Es que hoy no puedo salir.Hey, you know what? It is that I can't go out today.
- Pasa que no tengo dinero suficiente para comprar ese libro.The thing is, I don't have enough money to buy that book.
- Oye, es que mi familia va a visitarme ese día, entonces no puedo ir a tu fiesta.Hey, it is that my family is coming to visit me that day, so I can't go to your party.
Example conversation
Daniel and Elena are discussing why Daniel is late for dinner.
- DanielLo siento, es que había mucho tráfico.I'm sorry, it's just that there was a lot of traffic.
- ElenaNo importa, Daniel, ya estamos sentados.It doesn't matter, Daniel, we are already seated.
- DanielEs que no encontraba estacionamiento cerca.It's just that I couldn't find parking nearby.
- ElenaEstá bien, vamos a pedir la comida.It's okay, let's order the food.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries es, que, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
