A2 · Prepositions
Por o para
Both turn into for in English, which is why they get mixed up, and why translating is the worst possible strategy here. In Spanish they point in opposite directions: por looks back at the cause or the route that got you here, para looks forward at the goal or the destination you are aiming for. Once you feel that direction, most cases decide themselves.
When to use por
- Cause, reason or motive
- Means or method
- Duration, for a period of time
- Movement through a place
- Exchange or price
- Parts of the day
- Fixed expressions: por favor, por supuesto
When to use para
- Purpose or intention
- A deadline
- Destination
- Who something is for
- An opinion: para mí
- What something is used for
Por looks backwards
Use por for the reason something happened, the time it lasted, the place you moved through, the exchange you made, and the part of the day.
- Reason: lo hice por ti
- Duration: estudié por dos horas
- Movement through: caminamos por el bosque
- Exchange: lo compré por veinte soles
- Part of the day: por la mañana
- Means: te llamo por teléfono
- Gracias por la ayuda.Thanks for the help. · reason
- Salimos por la mañana.We go out in the morning. · time of day
- Pasamos por el mercado.We go through the market. · route
Para looks forwards
Use para for the purpose of an action, who or what something is destined for, the deadline, and the opinion of a person.
- Purpose: estudio para aprender
- Recipient: esto es para ti
- Destination: salimos para el río
- Deadline: lo necesito para el martes
- Opinion: para mí, está bien
- Job or use: una taza para café
- Esta chaqueta es para ti.This jacket is for you. · recipient
- Lo necesito para el viernes.I need it by Friday. · deadline
- Salimos para el río a las ocho.We leave for the river at eight. · destination
The quick test
Ask what the for is doing. If you can replace it with because of, through, or in exchange for, it is por. If you can replace it with in order to, towards, or by (a deadline), it is para.
The direction test
Before reaching for a list, ask which way the sentence points. Por answers why did this happen or what did it pass through. Para answers what is this aimed at. Lo hago por ti looks back at you as the reason; lo hago para ti looks forward to you as the recipient.
- Lo hago por ti.I do it because of you. · looking back
- Lo hago para ti.I do it for you. · looking forward
Time: por lasts, para is a deadline
Por marks a stretch of time or a rough moment; para marks the point by which something must be done. English uses for in both, which is exactly why this pair is worth drilling.
- Estudié por dos horas.I studied for two hours.
- Necesito el informe para el lunes.I need the report by Monday.
- Salimos por la mañana.We leave in the morning.
- Es la tarea para mañana.It is the homework due tomorrow.
Fixed expressions worth learning whole
A large share of everyday por is not a rule at all, it is vocabulary. Learn these as single items and you remove them from the decision.
- por favor — please
- por supuesto — of course
- por eso — that is why
- por ejemplo — for example
- por fin — at last
- por lo menos — at least
- por ahora — for now
- por si acaso — just in case
- gracias por — thanks for
Para with an infinitive means in order to
When purpose is expressed with a verb, para plus the infinitive is the standard shape. If the two halves have different subjects, it becomes para que plus the subjunctive.
- Estudio para aprender.I study in order to learn. · same subject
- Te lo explico para que entiendas.I am explaining it so that you understand. · different subjects
Side by side
Cause or purpose
Route or destination
Duration or deadline
Exchange or opinion
Examples
- Caminamos por el bosque.We walk through the forest.
- Salimos por la mañana.We go out in the morning.
- Esta chaqueta es para ti.This jacket is for you.
- Salimos para el río a las ocho.We leave for the river at eight.
Mistakes to avoid
Gracias para tu ayuda.
Gracias por tu ayuda.
Thanks points back at the reason, so it is always por.
Estudio español por hablar con mi familia.
Estudio español para hablar con mi familia.
The infinitive after it gives the purpose, so para.
Salimos por la casa de mi abuela.
Salimos para la casa de mi abuela.
A destination takes para. Por la casa would mean around or past the house.
Watch out
Gracias por la ayuda, never gracias para. And with time: por la tarde is a part of the day, para el martes is a deadline.
Try it
Compré un regalo ___ mi hermana.
Caminamos ___ el bosque toda la tarde.
Necesito la respuesta ___ el viernes.
No fui a la fiesta ___ el trabajo.
___ mí, esta lectura es fácil.
Gracias ___ tu ayuda.
Estudio español ___ hablar con mi familia.
Te lo digo ___ que lo sepas.