Por vs para · Spanish 1000

Two of the hardest prepositions

Por and para both often translate as "for" in English, but they cover different ideas. Por tends toward cause, route, duration, exchange, and means. Para tends toward purpose, recipient, deadline, and destination.

Many phrases are fixed — learn them as chunks, not word-by-word translations.

Uses of por (8+)

1. Cause / reason — because of, on account of
2. Exchange / rate — for (in trade)
3. Duration (approximate) — for (a period of time)
4. Movement through / along — through, along, around
5. Means / channel — by (phone, email, bus)
6. On behalf of / in place of — for someone
7. Time of day (period) — in the morning/afternoon
8. Opinion / vote — for (in elections)
9. Per unit — per, @ (price)

Gracias por tu ayuda. / Lo hice por ti.Thanks for your help. / I did it for you (on your behalf).
Te cambio el libro por otro. / Dos entradas por diez euros.I'll swap the book for another. / Two tickets for ten euros.
Estudié por dos horas. / Dormí por la tarde.I studied for two hours. / I slept in the afternoon.
Paso por tu calle cada día. / Caminamos por el parque.I pass through your street every day. / We walk through the park.
Hablamos por teléfono. / Lo envié por email.We talk by phone. / I sent it by email.
Voto por el candidato verde. / Cuesta cinco euros por kilo.I vote for the green candidate. / It costs five euros per kilo.

Uses of para (8+)

1. Purpose / goal — in order to
2. Recipient / intended for — for (someone)
3. Deadline — by, for (a date)
4. Destination — heading for (colloquial)
5. Opinion — for me, in my view
6. Suitability — for (this job, this use)
7. Comparison — for (a child, he is tall)
8. Employment — work for (a company)
9. para que + subjunctive — so that

Estudio para aprender. / Trabajo para vivir.I study (in order) to learn. / I work to live.
Este regalo es para ti. / La sopa es para los niños.This gift is for you. / The soup is for the children.
Necesito el informe para el lunes. / Para mañana, por favor.I need the report by Monday. / For tomorrow, please.
Salgo para Madrid mañana. / El tren va para el norte.I leave for Madrid tomorrow. / The train is heading north.
Para mí, es fácil. / Para un principiante, está bien.For me, it is easy. / For a beginner, it is fine.
Trabajo para una empresa grande. / Te lo explico para que entiendas.I work for a big company. / I'll explain it so that you understand.

Por vs para — pairs that confuse

porpara

EmploymentTrabajo por una agencia. (through an agency)Trabajo para una empresa. (for a company)

Gift / recipientLo hago por ti. (on your behalf)Es para ti. (intended for you)

MotivationLo hice por amor.Lo hice para impresionarla.

Time limitpor la mañana (during)para el lunes (by Monday)

MovementCamino por la calle. (along)Voy para casa. (toward home)

Fixed phrases

por favorplease
por supuestoof course
por finfinally, at last
por ejemplofor example
para siempreforever
para nadanot at all
para variarfor a change
¿Para qué? — Para nada.What for? — For nothing. / No reason.

Practice 1 — 8 questions

This gift is for you →

Thanks ___ your help →

I need it by Friday →

I studied for two hours →

I work for a big company →

We talk by phone →

I did it for you (on your behalf) →

of course →

Practice 2 — 7 questions

I study in order to learn →

I walk through the park →

For me, it is easy →

in the morning (period of day) →

Two for one (offer) →

forever →

I leave for Madrid tomorrow →