The prepositions por and para often cause confusion among Spanish learners. In this grammar point, you will learn when and how to use each.
Spanish
English
Por tu cumpleaños te regalo estas flores para que veas cuánto te quiero.
For your birthday I give you these flowers so you can see how much I love you.
When to Use Por or Para?
The difference between these two prepositions depends on the speaker's intention.
Por
Rule 1. Por is used to indicate cause, reason, or motive.
Spanish
English
Por el frío no podemos salir.
We can't go out because of the cold.
Rule 2. It is also used to indicate duration or period of time.
Spanish
English
He trabajado en esta empresa por tres años.
I have worked in this company for three years.
Rule 3. It is used when there is an exchange.
Spanish
English
Maurio compró el celular por 2,000 pesos. ¡Qué buena oferta!
Maurio bought the cell phone for 2,000 pesos, what a great deal!
Rule 4. It is used to talk about general movement through space.
Spanish
English
Ayer pasé por tu casa.
I drove by your house yesterday.
Rule 5. Finally, por is used to talk about the times of day.
Spanish
English
Siempre medito por la mañana.
I always meditate in the morning.
Para
Rule 1. Para is used to talk about a goal or purpose.
Spanish
English
Voy a estudiar español para viajar a Latino América.
I am going to study Spanish to travel to Latin America.
Rule 2. It is used to indicate the recipient of something.
Spanish
English
Estas flores son para mi mamá.
These flowers are for my mom.
Rule 3. It is used to talk about a destination.
Spanish
English
Me voy para Colombia este fin de semana.
I am leaving for Colombia this weekend.
Rule 4. It is used with deadlines.
Spanish
English
La tarea es para el viernes.
The assignment is due on Friday.
Rule 5. Finally, para is used when expressing an opinion.
Spanish
English
Para mí, la puntualidad es muy importante.
For me, punctuality is very important.
Expressions that Use Por or Para
Rule 6. Some expressions require por or para, and it is convenient to learn them in chunks.
Por
| Expression | Translation |
|---|---|
| por ejemplo | for example |
| por cierto | by the way |
| por favor | please |
| por eso | that is why |
| por suerte | luckily |
| por fin | finally |
| por supuesto | of course |
| por lo menos\t | at least\t |
| Expression | Translation |
|---|---|
| por ejemplo | for example |
| por cierto | by the way |
| por favor | please |
| por eso | that is why |
| por suerte | luckily |
| por fin | finally |
| por supuesto | of course |
| por lo menos\t | at least\t |
Para
| Expression | Translation |
|---|---|
| para nada | not at all |
| para siempre | forever |
| Expression | Translation |
|---|---|
| para nada | not at all |
| para siempre | forever |
Quiz
1/4
Compré este juguete __________ mi sobrino Ángel.
0
correct answers.