Por qué estás
/poɾ ke estas/from spelling rules
The Spanish phrase Por qué estás means "why are you".
This phrase is used to ask about a person's temporary state, emotion or current location.
Which one should you use?
There is a distinction between asking about temporary and permanent qualities. Use Por qué estás to ask about a temporary state or location, whereas Por qué eres is used to ask why someone has a permanent characteristic or identity.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase uses the verb estar, which is specifically used for temporary states, emotions or locations.
Did you know?
- In Spanish, writing porque as one word instead of por qué changes the meaning from 'why' to 'because'. This single space is the difference between asking a question and providing an answer.
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, asking ¿Por qué estás así? when someone looks sad can be seen as too direct, and people may instead use ¿Qué te pasa? to be more tactful.
- The word qué in this phrase shares an ancestor with the English word 'what', both tracing back to the Proto-Indo-European root *kʷid.
Examples in context
- ¿Por qué estás sola?Why are you alone?This example shows how to ask why someone is alone using Por qué estás.Tatoeba #896645 by Munia, translation #69874 by CK
- ¿Por qué estás aquí?Why are you here?This example shows how to ask why someone is in this location using Por qué estás and the word aquí (here).Tatoeba #1526325 by marcelostockle, translation #1481997 by yethay
- ¿Por qué estás triste?Why are you sad?This example shows how to ask why someone is feeling a specific emotion using Por qué estás.Tatoeba #1827542 by marcelostockle, translation #4495275 by CK
- ¿Por qué está usted asistiendo a la conferencia?Why are you attending the conference?
- ¿Por qué estás aquí en mi casa?Why are you here at my house?
- 131 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sofía notices Javier looks very nervous during a meeting.
- Sofía¿Por qué estás tan nervioso?Why are you so nervous?
- JavierTengo mucho miedo de hablar en público.I am very afraid of speaking in public.
- SofíaNo te preocupes, lo harás bien.Don't worry, you will do well.
- JavierGracias, Sofía, lo intentaré.Thanks, Sofia, I will try.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries por, qué, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
