¿por qué estás llorando?
The English phrase 'why are you crying?' is translated into Spanish as ¿por qué estás llorando?
This phrase is a question used to ask for the reason someone is currently shedding tears.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of por qué (why), estás (you are) and llorando (crying).
Which one should you use?
The phrase ¿por qué estás llorando? emphasizes the ongoing nature of the crying, whereas ¿por qué lloras? is more general.
How does it change in a sentence?
You can also use the simple present tense in the phrase ¿por qué lloras? as a common and natural way to ask why someone is crying. Note that changing estás to está in the phrase ¿por qué está llorando? changes the subject from 'you' (informal) to 'he/she' or 'you' (formal).
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often confuse por qué (why, used in questions) with porque (because, used in answers).
Did you know?
- The word qué in por qué is inherited from the Latin word quid, which served as the basis for the English word 'quid' used as slang for a pound sterling.
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, a person might answer ¿por qué estás llorando? by saying no estoy llorando while still visibly crying to save face or maintain dignity.
- While English speakers use 'why' to mean 'for what reason', the word por in por qué literally carries the sense of 'through' or 'by means of', suggesting you are asking what force is moving the person to tears.
Examples in context
- Disculpe, señora, ¿por qué está llorando?Excuse me, ma'am, why are you crying?
- Permítame preguntarle, ¿cuál es el motivo de su llanto?Allow me to ask, what is the reason for your crying?
- Oye, ¿por qué estás llorando? Cuéntame qué pasa.Hey, why are you crying? Tell me what's going on.
- Amigo, ¿qué te pasa? ¿Por qué lloras? Puedes contarme todo.Friend, what's happening to you? Why are you crying? You can tell me everything.
- ¿Por qué estás llorando? ¿Pasó algo?Why are you crying? Did something happen?
- Te veo triste, ¿por qué estás llorando?I see you are sad, why are you crying?
Example conversation
Alejandro finds Sofía in the living room looking upset.
- AlejandroSofía, ¿por qué estás llorando?Sofía, why are you crying?
- SofíaEs que tuve un mal día.It's just that I had a bad day.
- AlejandroNo llores, yo te ayudo.Don't cry, I will help you.
- SofíaGracias, Alejandro, eres muy amable.Thanks, Alejandro, you are very kind.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries por, qué, CC BY-SA 4.0.
