¿por qué haces eso?
The English phrase "why do you do that" is translated into Spanish as ¿por qué haces eso?
This phrase is a question used to ask for the reason behind someone's current action or behavior.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of por qué (why), haces (you do/make) and eso (that).
Which one should you use?
While eso means "that", it is very common to use the pronoun lo to say "Why do you do it?" (¿por qué lo haces?) when referring to a specific action being performed.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Argentina, one way to ask "Why do you do that" is ¿Por qué hacés eso?
How does it change in a sentence?
To use the formal "you" (usted), change the verb haces to hace.
Did you know?
- The word eso shares a surprising ancestry with the English word 'itself'. Both words ultimately trace back to the Latin root 'ipse', which means 'the same'.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, asking ¿por qué haces eso? with a direct gaze can be perceived as a confrontational challenge rather than a simple inquiry.
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, asking ¿por qué haces eso? with a specific rising intonation can be a rhetorical way of saying 'stop doing that' rather than a genuine request for information.
Examples in context
- ¿Cuál es la razón por la que usted hace eso?What is the reason why you do that?
- No entiendo tu comportamiento. ¿Por qué haces eso?I don't understand your behavior. Why do you do that?
Example conversation
Lucía sees Daniel organizing his books by color.
- LucíaDaniel, ¿por qué haces eso?Daniel, why do you do that?
- DanielMe gusta que se vean ordenados.I like them to look organized.
- LucíaEs una pérdida de tiempo.It is a waste of time.
- DanielPara mí es muy relajante.For me, it is very relaxing.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries eso, por, qué, CC BY-SA 4.0.
