para qué
/ˌpaɾa ˈke/
The English phrase "what for" is translated into Spanish as para qué.
Meaning: for what purpose (adv)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is a combination of the preposition para (for) and the interrogative pronoun qué (what).
Which one should you use?
It is important to distinguish para qué from por qué. While para qué focuses on the purpose or goal (what for), por qué focuses on the cause or reason (why).
How does it change in a sentence?
Because para qué is an interrogative phrase, it must include an accent mark on the é in qué.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˌpaɾa ˈke/
Did you know?
- In certain contexts, the word para is not a preposition but a command meaning 'stop' or 'halt'.
- Using ¿para qué? instead of ¿por qué? can make a speaker sound skeptical or challenging by questioning the actual utility of an action.
- In fast, casual speech, the a in para is frequently dropped, turning para qué into pa' qué.
Examples in context
- La pregunta es ¿para qué?The question is what for.This example shows how to use para qué to state a question.Tatoeba #5059343 by don_ramon, translation #5059275 by CK
- "Tengo que verle." "¿Para qué?""I have to see him." "What for?"This example shows a conversational exchange using para qué.Tatoeba #661454 by Shishir, translation #73578 by fanty
- "Tengo que ver a Tom". "¿Para qué?""I have to see Tom." "What for?"Tatoeba #10025265 by manufrutos, translation #10025142 by CK
- ¿Para qué necesitas ese dinero?What do you need that money for?
- No entiendo para qué quieres un lápiz de oro.I don't understand why you want a golden pencil.
- ¿Para qué sirve este dispositivo?What is this device used for?
- ¿Pa' qué quieres tantos libros?What do you need so many books for?
- No entiendo pa' qué necesitas otro teléfono.I don't understand why you need another phone.
- Siempre estás en tu habitación. ¿Pa' qué?You're always in your room. What for?
- ¿Exactamente para qué necesitas ese dinero?Exactly what do you need that money for?
- ¿Pa' qué exactamente quieres un lápiz de oro?What exactly do you want a golden pencil for?
- ¿Para qué exactamente sirve este dispositivo?What exactly is this device used for?
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Daniel is holding a strange tool in the kitchen.
- DanielMira este aparato que compré.Look at this gadget I bought.
- Elena¿Para qué sirve exactamente?What is it for exactly?
- DanielSirve para abrir aguacates rápidamente.It's for opening avocados quickly.
- ElenaNo entiendo para qué necesitas eso.I don't understand what you need that for.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “what for” translations and entries para qué, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
