![\"Purpose](\"https:\/\/mydailyspanish.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/How-to-Express-Purpose-and-Reasons-in-Spanish-TW.png\" "\\"How")
<\/span><\/p>\nWhen we\u2019re speaking Spanish, it\u2019s important to keep in mind that there\u2019s a super subtle difference between purpose and reason.<\/p>\n
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- When we talk about purpose, we tend to be looking toward an end goal<\/strong>. We often use \u2018para\u2019 for purpose.<\/span><\/li>\n
- When we talk about reason, we tend to be looking back at an origin<\/strong> or explanation<\/strong> for something. We often use \u2018por<\/em>\u2019 for reason.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Check out our article<\/a> on the differences between \u2018por<\/em>\u2019 and \u2019para<\/em>\u2019 (<\/a>which can both be translated as \u2018for\u2019). That article and this one complement each other to aid understanding.<\/p>\n
Expressing purpose<\/h2>\n
![\"Purpose\"](\"https:\/\/mydailyspanish.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/www.mydailyspanish.com-Purpose.jpg\" "\\"www.mydailyspanish.com")
<\/span><\/p>\nImage Via<\/a><\/p>\n
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- As we said above, the purpose of something is the point\/goal\/objective<\/strong> of it. Here\u2019s some useful vocab:<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n
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\n\t el prop\u00f3sito<\/i><\/Strong><\/td> purpose, intention<\/Strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n\t el objetivo<\/i><\/Strong><\/td> objective, aim, goal<\/Strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n\t la finalidad<\/i><\/Strong><\/td> purpose<\/Strong>, (final) objective<\/Strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n\t tener como finalidad<\/i><\/Strong><\/td> to have as its purpose<\/Strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n\t la meta<\/i><\/Strong><\/td> goal, target<\/Strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n These words have similar meanings, and are almost interchangeable\u2014like in English, the trick is to use the one that sounds most natural in a specific context. Practice makes perfect when figuring out what\u2019s natural!<\/p>\n
Use these words either before or after the verb \u2018ser<\/em>\u2019 (\u2018to be\u2019). This helps you say that the purpose<\/strong> of X is<\/strong> Y.<\/p>\n\n
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\n\t \u00bfCu\u00e1l es el prop\u00f3sito<\/Strong> de esta reuni\u00f3n?<\/i><\/td> What is the purpose<\/Strong> of this meeting?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n\t El objetivo<\/Strong> de congregarnos esta ma\u00f1ana es ordenar las tareas del d\u00eda. \u00a1Tenemos mucho trabajo hoy!<\/i><\/td> The aim<\/Strong> of us meeting this morning is to lay out the day\u2019s tasks. We have a lot of work today!<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n\t La finalidad<\/Strong> del art\u00edculo que escribe Marcus es explicar la pol\u00edtica mexicana del siglo 15.<\/i><\/td> The objective<\/Strong> of the article that Marcus is writing is to explain Mexican politics of the 15th century.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n\t Un profesor del cole debe tener como finalidad<\/Strong> enriquecer las mentes j\u00f3venes.<\/i><\/td> A school teacher should have the enrichment of young minds as his\/her objective<\/Strong>.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n\t Mi meta<\/Strong> es ser el mejor boxeador de la regi\u00f3n.<\/i><\/td> My goal<\/Strong> is to be the best boxer in the region.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n - \n
- One of the most straightforward ways of expressing purpose is to say \u2018in order to\u2019 + infinitive. Here are the three main variations of this phrase in Spanish:<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n
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\n\t para<\/Strong> + infinitive<\/i><\/td> in order to<\/Strong> + infinitive<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n\t a <\/Strong>+ infinitive<\/i><\/td> to <\/Strong>+ infinitive<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n\t a fin de<\/Strong> + infinitive<\/i><\/td> with the purpose of<\/Strong> \u2026-ing<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n Let\u2019s have a look at these in context:<\/p>\n\n
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\n\t Vengo para<\/Strong> recoger mis cosas. No quiero hablar contigo.<\/i><\/td> I\u2019ve come (in order) to<\/Strong> collect my things. I don\u2019t want to talk to you.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n\t Tambi\u00e9n vengo a<\/Strong> darte tus cosas.<\/i><\/td> I\u2019ve also come to<\/Strong> give you your stuff.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n\t Susie fue a la casa de su ex a fin de<\/Strong> recoger sus cosas, pero acab\u00f3 acost\u00e1ndose all\u00ed.<\/i><\/td> Susie went to her ex\u2019s house with the purpose of <\/Strong>collecting her things, but she ended up staying the night.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n - \n
- Now, let\u2019s advance that slightly. What happens if we add the word \u2018que<\/em>\u2019 after \u2018para<\/em>,\u2019 \u2018a<\/em>,\u2019 or \u2018a fin de<\/em>\u2019? Well, the meaning is almost exactly the same, but we have to use the subjunctive<\/a>! (If you\u2019re not comfortable with the subjunctive yet, then stick to the infinitive versions above.)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n
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\n\t para que<\/i><\/Strong> + subjunctive<\/td> in order that \u2026<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n\t a que <\/i><\/Strong>+ subjunctive<\/td> in order that \u2026<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n\t a fin de que <\/i>\u2026<\/Strong>+ subjunctive<\/td> with the purpose that\/of \u2026<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n Here\u2019s what we get if we slightly adjust the examples about Susie:<\/p>\n\n
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\n\t Vengo para que<\/Strong> me devuelves mis cosas lo antes posible.<\/i><\/td> I\u2019ve come in order that<\/Strong> you return my things asap.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n\t Tambi\u00e9n vengo a que <\/Strong>cojas tus cosas. No quiero quedarme con la ropa tuya.<\/i><\/td> I\u2019ve come in order that<\/Strong> you take your things\/for<\/Strong> you to take your things. I don\u2019t want to keep your clothes.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n\t Susie fue a la casa de su ex a fin de que<\/Strong> recogiera sus cosas lo antes posible, sin hablarle. Fall\u00f3.<\/i><\/td> Susie went to her ex\u2019s house, with the purpose of\/with the intention of<\/Strong> picking up her things asap, without speaking to him. She failed.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n Expressing reason<\/h2>\n
![\"Reason](\"https:\/\/mydailyspanish.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/www.mydailyspanish.com-Reason-Porque.jpg\" "\\"www.mydailyspanish.com")
<\/span><\/p>\nImage Via<\/p>\n
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- Reason is more explanation<\/strong>-oriented than goal-oriented. One of our main words for expressing reasons is the classic \u2018porque<\/em>.\u2019 Here are some synonyms of it, too, so you can mix things up:<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n
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\n\t porque<\/i><\/Strong><\/td> because<\/Strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n\t ya que<\/i><\/Strong><\/td> because, since<\/Strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n\t puesto que<\/i><\/Strong><\/td> because, since<\/Strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n\t debido a <\/Strong>+ sustantivo<\/i><\/td> because of<\/Strong> + noun, due to <\/Strong>+ noun<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n Here\u2019s how they\u2019re used in context:<\/p>\n\n
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\n\t Me fui de compras porque<\/Strong> me sent\u00eda triste.<\/i><\/td> I went shopping because<\/Strong> I was feeling sad.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n\t Conf\u00edo en ti, ya que<\/Strong> siempre has estado en mi vida.<\/i><\/td> I trust you, since<\/Strong> you\u2019ve always been in my life.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n\t \u00a1Voy a arreglar la casa puesto que<\/Strong> el alcalde viene a visitar esta tarde!<\/i><\/td> I\u2019m going to tidy the house seeing as<\/Strong> the mayor is coming to visit this afternoon!<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n\t Voy a llegar tarde al trabajo debido a<\/Strong> todos estos atascos.<\/i><\/td> I\u2019m going to arrive late to work because of<\/Strong> all these traffic jams.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n - \n
- Similar to what we saw earlier, there\u2019s a list of almost interchangeable nouns for expressing reason. Use them either before or after the verb \u2018ser<\/em>\u2019 (\u2018to be\u2019). This helps you say that the reason<\/strong> for X is<\/strong> Y.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n
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\n\t la raz\u00f3n<\/i><\/Strong><\/td> reason<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n\t el motivo<\/i><\/Strong><\/td> motive<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n\t la causa<\/i><\/Strong><\/td> cause, excuse<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n\t el porqu\u00e9*<\/i><\/Strong><\/td> reason, rationale<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n *Bonus tip: take a look at the table below to ensure you don\u2019t let that last one confuse you. In this case, it\u2019s a noun, the reason<\/strong>. It doesn\u2019t mean \u2018why?\u2019 or \u2018because.\u2019 Watch out for the spelling differences.<\/p>\n\n
- Similar to what we saw earlier, there\u2019s a list of almost interchangeable nouns for expressing reason. Use them either before or after the verb \u2018ser<\/em>\u2019 (\u2018to be\u2019). This helps you say that the reason<\/strong> for X is<\/strong> Y.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n
- Reason is more explanation<\/strong>-oriented than goal-oriented. One of our main words for expressing reasons is the classic \u2018porque<\/em>.\u2019 Here are some synonyms of it, too, so you can mix things up:<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n
- Now, let\u2019s advance that slightly. What happens if we add the word \u2018que<\/em>\u2019 after \u2018para<\/em>,\u2019 \u2018a<\/em>,\u2019 or \u2018a fin de<\/em>\u2019? Well, the meaning is almost exactly the same, but we have to use the subjunctive<\/a>! (If you\u2019re not comfortable with the subjunctive yet, then stick to the infinitive versions above.)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n
- One of the most straightforward ways of expressing purpose is to say \u2018in order to\u2019 + infinitive. Here are the three main variations of this phrase in Spanish:<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n
- When we talk about reason, we tend to be looking back at an origin<\/strong> or explanation<\/strong> for something. We often use \u2018por<\/em>\u2019 for reason.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n