Por and para
Two words for "for", and what each means.
Both por and para often translate "for", but they mean different things. para looks ahead, to a goal; por looks back, to a cause or a way through.
Para
| Use | Example |
|---|---|
| purpose, "in order to" | Estudio para aprender. I study in order to learn. |
| who it's for | Este regalo es para ti. This present is for you. |
| where to | Salgo para Madrid. I'm leaving for Madrid. |
| a deadline | Es para el lunes. It's for Monday. |
| an opinion | Para mí, es muy caro. For me, it's very expensive. |
| a comparison | Para su edad, es muy alto. He's very tall for his age. |
Por
| Use | Example |
|---|---|
| cause, "because of" | Gracias por todo. Thanks for everything. |
| through, along, around | Paseamos por el parque. We walk through the park. |
| by means of | Hablamos por teléfono. We talk on the phone. |
| in exchange for, a price | Lo compré por diez euros. I bought it for ten euros. |
| how long | Viví allí por un año. I lived there for a year. |
| per | dos veces por semana twice a week |
| part of the day | por la mañana in the morning |
| who did it, in the passive | escrito por Cervantes written by Cervantes |
How long is often said without por: Viví allí un año.
Fixed phrases
por favor "please", por eso "that's why", por fin "at last", por ejemplo "for example", por supuesto "of course", por qué "why", para siempre "forever".
Cards from this guide
10 cardsEach card asks about one thing this guide teaches, and its back gives the answer with why and an example. They're reviewed with the rest of the Objects and prepositions cards.
Por or para: which gives a purpose, 'in order to'?
para: Estudio para aprender.
How do you say 'this present is for you'?
Este regalo es para ti.
How do you say 'thanks for everything'?
Gracias por todo.
How do you say 'I bought it for ten euros'?
Lo compré por diez euros.
How do you say 'we walk through the park'?
Paseamos por el parque.
How do you say 'twice a week'?
dos veces por semana
How do you say 'in the morning', as in 'I work in the morning'?
por la mañana
How do you say 'it's for Monday', about a deadline?
Es para el lunes.
What does para mí at the start of a sentence mean?
'In my opinion', 'for me'.
What does por eso mean?
'That's why'.