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El retraso es por la lluvia.

El retraso es por la lluvia.
The delay is because of the rain.
From Lesson 198:Expressing cause (por)·Spanish (Spain)

Questions & Answers about El retraso es por la lluvia.

Why do we use por here instead of para?
We use por because it expresses the cause or reason behind a situation. In this sentence, it translates to "because of." If you used para, it would imply purpose, meaning the delay was created "in order to" make it rain!
Can I say porque la lluvia to mean "because of the rain"?
No, porque means "because" and must be followed by a conjugated verb, like El retraso es porque está lloviendo (The delay is because it is raining). To say "because of" followed by just a noun (like la lluvia), you always use por.
Why is the verb ser (es) used here instead of estar?
It is tempting to use estar because a delay feels like a temporary condition. However, we use ser here because we are stating a fact about the origin of the cause. The sentence essentially means "The reason for the delay equals the rain."
What verb do I use with retraso if I want to say "I am delayed"?
You wouldn't usually use ser or estar with retraso to talk about yourself. Instead, use the verb llevar (to carry). For example, llevo retraso is a very common way to say "I am running late" or "I am delayed" in Spain.

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