Chavacano Made Easy -- The use of “por que”

Chavacano Made Easy -- The use of “por que”

(The phrases por qué, para qué usually translate as "why." “Qué” is more common than “para qué”. They are sometimes interchangeable; para qué can be used only when asking about the intent or purpose of something happening and can be thought of as meaning “what”. Cosa is the more acceptable Chavacano for the interrogative “what”

Note: "Por qué" is always two words. (Unless it means because)

What's happening? Qué pasa?  Cosa ta pasa?

What are you talking about? 

            De cosa tu ta man cuento?

What are you thinking about?           

            De cosa tu ta pensa?

What is this?   Cosa este?

What is this for? Para que este?/ Para cosa este?

What restaurant do you prefer?       

            Cosa restauran tu ta preferí?

When are we leaving?           Cuándo kita larga?

Where are you going to? Para donde tu anda?

Where is Roberto from? De dónde si Roberto?Where is it?  Dónde aquel? 

Which one,  (what) El cosa, cuál, cuáles

Why did the car break down?

            Porqué ya queda malo el coche?

Why did you study Chavacano?

            Porque tu ya estudia Chavacano?

            Or Para cosa tu ya estudia Chavacano?

From the Chavacano Handbook by Felino M Santos
For details address queries to felinomsantos@gmail.com. Or visithttp://englishchavacanodictionary.weebly.com/index.html also at http://chavacanohandbook.wordpress.com/