es que
Meanings
Phrase
1. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see es, que.
2. Used for explanations: it's just that, because
3. implies (Spain)
4. filler, see also que lo que (very common in the Dominican Republic)
5. it's not that (in the negative, followed by subjunctive)
Examples121
Por eso es que pasó X.
That's why X happened.
¿Sabes si Manuel va al gimnasio? Es que vi a alguien muy parecido a él.
Do you know if Manuel goes to the gym? (I'm asking because) I saw someone [there] who looked a lot like him.
"¿Por qué no comes?" "Es que ya comí antes."
"Why aren't you eating?" "(I'm not eating because) I already ate."
¿Es que no puedes o que no quieres?
Is it that you can't or that you don't want to?
No es que no quiero. No puedo.
It's not that I don't want to, I just can't.
¿Es que no tienes otra cosa que hacer?
Don't you have anything else to do?