1. Por or para
Although 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.

2. Para
Para is very unidirectional
and points forward toward a
goal or destination, whether
literal or figurative.
Para indicates:
Destination or destiny
goal, intended purpose
Limit of time or space (deadline)
by a certain time; to or toward a certain location
Comparison with a norm

3. Para
Destination or destiny
Mañana Juan sale para Madrid.
Tomorrow Juan is leaving for Madrid.
Pablo estudia para (ser) médico.
Pablo is studying to be a doctor.
El regalo es para mi hermano.
The gift is for my brother.
Limit of time or space
Debo llegar a la reunión para las 10:00, a más
tardar. arrive at the meeting by 10:00, at the latest.
I must

4. Para
Comparison with a norm
Para norteamericano, Bill habla bien
el español.
For an American, Bill speaks Spanish well.
El niño es muy alto para su edad.
The child is very tall for his age.
Para is also translated as “in order to”
Trabajo para ganar dinero para costear mi educación.
I work in order to earn money to pay for my education.

5. Para
Para 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

6. Por
Por is less direct and can point
in various directions, including
backward towards cause or
motive.
Por indicates:
Imprecise or approximate direction or time
around a certain time; through or by way of a certain
location
Duration of time
Motive or cause
Exchange or interchange
Means or mode

7. Por
Imprecise or approximate direction or
time
Vamos a pasear por el parque por la tarde.
We’re going to take a walk through the park
during the afternoon.
Duration of time
Vamos a estar en Cancún por dos semanas.
We’re going to be in Cancún for two weeks.
Motive or cause
Estudio español por amor al idioma.
I study Spanish because of a love for the language.

8. Por
Exchange or interchange
Si no puedes ir a la reunión, yo voy por ti.
If you can’t go to the meeting, I’ll go in your place.
Pagué diez dólares por el CD de Óscar de León.
I paid ten dollars for the Óscar de León CD.
Means or mode
Siempre mando mis cartas por avión.
I always send my letters by air mail.
Vamos a viajar por tren.
We’re going to travel by train.

9. Por
Some other uses
Estar por + infinitive expresses readiness (to be about
to do something
Estoy por salir.
I am about to leave.
Estamos por visitar la tumba de Bolívar en el
centro de Caracas.
We are about to visit Bolívar’s tomb in downtown
Caracas.
“Per”
La velocidad máxima es de 70 millas por hora.
The speed limit is 70 miles per hour.

10. Por
Some other uses
Ir por, venir por = to go for, to come for or in search
of something or someone
El conductor está gravemente herido. Voy por el
médico.
The driver is gravely injured. I’ll go for the doctor.
Que queda por hacer = that remains to be done
Tengo dos proyectos por terminar.
I have two projects yet to be finished.
Eso está por verse.
That remains to be seen.

11. Por
Por is also used in a large number of set
phrases such as the following:
por ahora for now
por aquí around here, this way
por casualidad by chance
por completo completely
por Dios for God’s (goodness’ ) sake
por desgracia unfortunately
por ejemplo for example

12. Por
Por is also used in a large number of set
phrases such as the following:
por el bien de alguien for someone’s good
por eso therefore, for that
reason
por favor please
por fin at last, finally
por lo general in general
por lo menos at least

13. Por
Por is also used in a large number of set
phrases such as the following:
por más que . . . no matter how much . . .
por medio de by means of
por nada you’re welcome
por si acaso just in case
por suerte luckily, fortunately
por supuesto of course, naturally
por último finally

14. FIN