The English translation of the Spanish phrase "por qué" is "why." It literally means "for what," but it is used as the question word "why" to ask for reasons or causes of something.

For comparison:

• "Por qué" = "Why" (asking for cause or reason)
• "Porque" = "Because" (giving a reason)
• "Para qué" = "For what purpose" (asking for purpose or objective)

So "por qué" directly translates as "why" in English.