The difference between the prepositions “por” and “para” is challenging for most Spanish learners. There are a few rules that you need to follow and some expressions that you need to memorize. However, with practice, you can get this right. In Spanish, both “por” and “para” can mean “for.” Nevertheless, in many contexts, they can also mean “by,” “per,” “in order to,” “because of,” and some other meanings. Let us take a look at some of these contexts.
Uses of “Por”
1. To denote reason or motive, for example:
| Llegaremos tarde por el tráfico. | We’ll be late because of the traffic. |
| Él murió por falta de agua. | He died due to a lack of water. |
2. To denote duration, for example:
| Te esperé por dos horas. | I waited for you for two hours. |
| Estaré en España por tres días. | I will be in Spain for three days. |
3. To denote agency, usually meaning “by,” for example:
| El libro fue escrito por un autor anónimo. | The book was written by an anonymous author. |
| Son amados por sus padres. | They are loved by their parents. |
4. To denote equivalency or exchange, for example:
| Cambié mi auto por otro nuevo. | I changed my car for a new one. |
| La harina cuesta dos dólares por kilo. | The flour costs two dollars per kilo. |
5. To denote travel itinerary, usually meaning “through,” for example:
| Quiero ir a Suiza por Italia. | I want to go to Switzerland through Italy. |
| Podemos pasar por el parque. | We can go through the park. |
6. To denote means of travel or communication, usually meaning “by” or “via,” for example:
| Ellos viajaron por avión. | They traveled by plane. |
| Te voy a contactar por teléfono. | I am going to contact you by phone. |
Uses of “Para”
1. To denote a goal or objective, usually meaning “in order to,” for example:
| Trabajo para ganar dinero. | I work in order to earn money. |
| Voy a la universidad para estudiar. | I go to the university to study. |
2. To denote destination or direction, for example:
| El tren sale para Nueva York. | The train leaves for New York. |
| Viajaremos para Colombia. | We will travel to Colombia. |
3. To denote the recipient of an object, for example:
| Es para ti. | This is for you. |
| Este regalo es para mi amigo. | This gift is for my friend. |
4. To denote a deadline, for example:
| Tengo que hacerlo para mañana. | I have to do it by tomorrow. |
| Necesito terminar para las nueve. | I need to finish by 9 o’clock. |
5. To denote an opinion, for example:
| Para mí, es ridículo. | For me, it’s ridiculous. |
| Para ella, el fútbol no es divertido. | In her opinion, soccer is not fun. |
6. To denote the contrast of an idea, for example:
| Para un niño, habla muy bien. | For a child, he speaks very well. |
| Tiene buena salud para su edad. | He’s in good health for his age. |
Common Expressions with “Por” and “Para”
There are certain expressions that use “por,” such as:
| por Dios | Oh my God! | por las dudas por si acaso | just in case |
| por favor | please | por ejemplo | for example |
| por suerte | luckily | por supuesto | of course |
| por ciento | percent | por tu culpa | because of you |
and others that use “para,” such as:
| para siempre | forever | para variar | just for a change |
| para colmo | to top it all | para empezar | for starters |
| para nada | not at all | para entonces | by then |
| para otra ocasión para otro momento | for another time | para que | so that |
Quiz: “Por” vs. “Para” in Spanish
Next: The Verb “to Know”: “Saber” vs. “Conocer”
Other lessons in Level III:
Level III – Elementary
3. The Verb “to Know”: “Saber” vs. “Conocer”
4. Indefinite Adjectives & Pronouns
7. Special Uses of “Haber” & “Tener”
8. Telling Time & Describing The Weather
9.1. The Adverbs “Tan,” “Solo,” “También,” “Tampoco,” “Vez,” and “Veces”
