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Por or ParaAlthough the prepositions por and para may both be
translated as for in English, they are not interchangeable in most cases. Each word has a
distinctly different use in Spanish, as shown in the following slides.
Note that an infinitive is used when a verb comesafter por and para as well as after all prepositions.
ParaPara is very unidirectional and points forward toward a goal or destination, whether literal or figurative.
Para indicates:
Destination or destinygoal, intended purpose
Point of time or space (deadline)by a certain time; to or toward a certain location
Comparison (with a norm)
Recipients or intended person(s)
Purpose or goal (to, in order to)
ParaDestination, destinyMañana Juan sale para Madrid.
Limit of time or space (deadline)Debo llegar a la reunión para las 10:00, a más tardar.
El rey sale para la conferencia mundial.
Tomorrow Juan is leaving for Madrid.
The king is leaving for the world conference.
I must arrive at the meeting by 10:00, at the latest.
Es necesario que terminemos el informe para el martes.It is necessary that we finish the report by Tuesday.
El regalo es para mi hermano.Recipients or intended person(s)
The gift is for my brother.
¿Este es el discurso para el gobernador?Is this the speech for the governor?
Comparison (with a norm)
Para un periódico liberal, presenta muchas opiniones tradicionales.
For a liberal newspaper, it presents many traditional opinions.
Ella es muy alta para su edad.She is very tall for her age.
Para
Purpose or goal (to, in order to)
Pablo estudia para (ser) médico.Pablo is studying to be a doctor.
Trabajo para ganar dinero para costear mi educación.
I work in order to earn money to pay for my education.
Para
ParaPara is used in some set phrases such as the following:
para siempre forever
¿para qué? what for?
para eso for that (sarcastically)
no ser para tanto
not to be a big deal
sin qué ni para qué
without rhyme or reason
PorPor is less direct and can point in various directions, including backward towards cause or motive.
Por indicates:
Imprecise or approximate direction or timearound a certain time; through or by way of a certain location
Duration of time (during, for)
Motive or cause
Exchange or interchange
Means or mode
Por
Imprecise or approximate direction or timeVamos a pasear por el parque por la tarde.
Duration of time
Motive or cause
Vamos a estar en Cancún por dos semanas.
Estudio español por amor al idioma.
We’re going to take a walk through the park during the afternoon.
We’re going to be in Cancún for two weeks.
I study Spanish because of a love for the language.
Por
Exchange or interchangeSi no puedes ir a la reunión, yo voy por ti.
Pagué diez dólares por el CD de Óscar de León.
Means or modeSiempre mando mis cartas por avión.
Vamos a viajar por tren.
If you can’t go to the meeting, I’ll go in your place.
I paid ten dollars for the Óscar de León CD.
I always send my letters by air mail.
We’re going to travel by train.
Por
“Per”La velocidad máxima es de 70 millas por hora.
Some other usesEstar por + infinitive expresses readiness (to be about to do something)
Estoy por salir.
Estamos por visitar la tumba de Bolívar en el centro de Caracas.
I am about to leave.
We are about to visit Bolívar’s tomb in downtown Caracas.
The speed limit is 70 miles per hour.
Por
Que queda por hacer = that remains to be doneTengo dos proyectos por terminar.
Some other uses
Eso está por verse.
Ir por, venir por = to go for, to come for or in search of something or someoneEl conductor está gravemente herido. Voy por el médico.
The driver is gravely injured. I’ll go for the doctor.
I have two projects yet to be finished.
That remains to be seen.
PorPor is also used in a large number of set
phrases such as the following:
por aquí around here, this way
por completo
completely
por desgracia
unfortunately
por ejemplo for example
por ahora for now
por Dios for God’s (goodness’ ) sake
por casualidad
by chance
PorPor is also used in a large number of set
phrases such as the following:
por fin at last, finally
por lo general in general
por favor please
por eso therefore, for that reason
por el bien de alguien
for someone’s good
por lo menos
at least
Por
por nada you’re welcome
por medio de
by means of
por más que . . . no matter how much . . .
por si acaso just in case
Por is also used in a large number of set phrases such as the following:
por supuesto of course, naturally
por suerte luckily, fortunately
por último finally