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.
Limit of time or space
Debo llegar a la reunión para las 10:00, a más
tardar.
Pablo estudia para (ser) médico.
El regalo es para mi hermano.
Tomorrow Juan is leaving for Madrid.
Pablo is studying to be a doctor.
The gift is for my brother.
I must arrive at the meeting by 10:00, at the latest.
4. Para
Comparison with a norm
Para norteamericano, Bill habla bien
el español.
El niño es muy alto para su edad.
Para is also translated as “in order to”
Trabajo para ganar dinero para costear mi educación.
For an American, Bill speaks Spanish well.
The child is very tall for his age.
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.
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.
8. Por
Exchange or interchange
Si no puedes ir a la reunión, yo voy por ti.
Pagué diez dólares por el CD de Óscar de León.
Means or mode
Siempre 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.
9. Por
“Per”
La velocidad máxima es de 70 millas por hora.
Some other uses
Estar 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.
10. Por
Que queda por hacer = that remains to be done
Tengo 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 someone
El 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.
11. Por
Por 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
12. Por
Por 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
13. 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
