Conjunciones coordinadas

Coordinating conjuctions are the easiest way to join two simple sentences into one longer one. Usually when you use a coordinating conjunction no changes need to be made to the original simple sentences, though you may want to use pronouns to avoid repeating words. The four main coordinating conjunctions in Spanish are: y (and), o (or), pero (but), and porque (because).

• Hablo el inglés. Comprendo el español. → Hablo el inglés y comprendo el español. (I speak English and understand Spanish.)
• Por la tarde tomo una siesta. A veces doy un paseo. → Por la tarde tomo una siesta o a veces doy un paseo. (In the afternoon I take a nap or sometimes I go for a walk.)
• Mis hermanos son artísticos. Yo no dibujo bien. → Mis hermanos son artísticos pero yo no dibujo bien. (My siblings are artistic but I don’t draw well.)
• Estudio idiomas extranjeros. Los idiomas extranjeros abren oportunidades internacionales. → Estudio idiomas extranjeros porque abren oportunidades internacionales. (I study foreign languages because they open up international opportunities.)

Porque vs. ¿por qué?

These two words are frequently confused in Spanish because of their similarities in spelling and pronunciation, but they are really completely different words! Once you remember that all question words have accent marks in Spanish and the connecting words (conjunctions and relative pronouns) do not, then you should be able to tell these apart. Then you’ll just need to remember that the question is the one written as two words.

• ¿¿Por qué me haces esto?? (Why are you doing this to me??)
• Lo hago porque me preocupo por ti. (I do it because I worry about you.)