Por vs. Para. In Spanish, there are TWO words used to say “FOR” Both “por” and “para” mean “FOR” …but they are used in very different ways…

Por vs. Para

Por vs. Para In Spanish, there are TWO words used to say “FOR” Both “por” and “para” mean “FOR”

…but they are used in very different ways…

Can change the meaning:

Using the wrong word can change the meaning of the sentence.

Compré este regalo para mi madre. I bought this gift for my mom. (to give to my mom)

Compré este regalo por mi madreI bought this gift for my mom (I bought it because she

could not do it herself)

General Uses of POR

Por is generally used to express reason or cause behind an action.

It usualy conveys a more general idea or purpose

Por = PASSING THROUGH

Used to express the idea of: – PASSING THROUGH

EJEMPLOS: Esta calle pasa por West Linn.

This street goes through West Linn. Camino por la ciudad.

I walk around/through the city.

Por = GENERAL LOCATION

Used to express:– GENERAL LOCATION

Ejemplos:¿Hay un banco por aquí?

Is there a bank around here?

Por = DURATION OF TIME

Used to express: DURATION OF TIME

– Vivimos en México por 2 años. – Trabajé ayer por 8 horas.

Por = The cause of something

Por is used to indicate “cause”

No podemos estudiar por la falta de luz.

We can’t study because of the lack of light

No podemos acampar por la tormenta.

We can’t camp because of the storm.

Por = An exchange

Por is used when talking about “exchanges”

Cecilia pagó mucho por su coche.

Cecilia paid a lot for her car.

Te doy un bocadillo por tu ensalada.

I will give you a sandwhich for your salad.

Por = In place of something

Por is used to indicate doing something for or in place of something else

Compré un regalo por mi madre. I bought a gift for my mom (because she could not)

Puedes ir por mi?

Can you go for me? (In my place).

Por = A means of transportation

Used to indicate

“means of transportation” or

“how something travels”

Viajamos por avión.

We traveled by plane.

Ellos llegaron por barco.

They arrived in/by boat.

Por = to express gratitude or apology

Gracias por la ayuda. Gracias por venir a verme. Gracias por el regalo.

POR

Passing through General location Duration of Time Cause of something An exchange In place of something Means of transportation To express gratitude or apology

~ Para ~

Para

Para usually refers to the underlying goal, purpose, or use

Para: “For whom something is done”

Ejemplos: Compré un regalo para mi madre.

I bought a gift for my mom. Cantaremos para el presidente.

We will sing for the president.

Cocinaré una cena para ustedes. I will cook a dinner for you guys.

Para: Purpose for which something is done

Ejemplos: Compré anteojos para ver mejor.

I bought glasses in order to see better.

Tomé la medicina para sentir mejor. I took medicine in order to feel better.

Para perder pesa, haré ejercicios por 8 horas sin parar.

In order to lose weight, I will exercise for 8 hours straight.

Para: Destination Ejemplos:

Tomaré el avión para San Juan.

I will take the plane to San Juan.

Voy para Cuba.

I am going to Cuba.

Para: to express opinion Para mi … = To me, for me...

Ejemplo:Para mi, español es formidable.

To me, Spanish is awesome. Para ti, la clase de ciencias es fácil.

For you, Science is easy.

Para: To contrast and compare

Ejemplos: Para médico, no sabe mucho del cuerpo humano.

For a doctor, he doesn´t know much about the human body.

Para payaso, no es muy cómico. For a clown, he´s not very funny.

Para un pastel, no es muy sabroso. For a cake, it is not very flavorful.

Para: Deadlines Hay que terminar la tarea para mañana.

The homework has to be finished by tomorrow.

Tengo que hacer el proyecto para el lunes. I have to finish the project by Monday.

PARA

For whom something is done Purpose for doing something Destination To express opinion To contrast and compare Deadlines