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.

Para Para is very unidirectional and points forward toward a goal or destination, whether literal or figurative. Para indicates: 1 Destination or destiny goal, intended purpose 2 Limit of time or space (deadline) by a certain time; to or toward a certain location 3 Comparison with a norm

Para 1 2 Destination or destiny Limit of time or space 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. 2 Limit of time or space Debo llegar a la reunión para las 10:00, a más tardar. I must arrive at the meeting by 10:00, at the latest.

Para 3 Para is also translated as “in order to” 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.

Para is used in some set phrases such as the following: para siempre forever ¿para qué? what for? para eso for that (sarcastically)

Por Por is less direct and can point in various directions, including backward towards cause or motive. Por indicates: 1 Imprecise or approximate direction or time around a certain time; through or by way of a certain location 2 Duration of time 3 Motive or cause 4 Exchange or interchange 5 Means or mode

Por 1 2 3 Imprecise or approximate direction or time Duration of time Vamos a pasear por el parque por la tarde. We’re going to take a walk through the park during the afternoon. 2 Duration of time Vamos a estar en Cancún por dos semanas. We’re going to be in Cancún for two weeks. 3 Motive or cause Estudio español por amor al idioma. I study Spanish because of a love for the language.

Por 4 5 Exchange or interchange Means or mode 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. 5 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.

Por Some other uses 1 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. 2 “Per” La velocidad máxima es de 70 millas por hora. The speed limit is 70 miles per hour.

Por Some other uses 3 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. 4 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.

Por por ahora for now por ejemplo for example por eso for that reason Por is also used in a large number of set phrases such as the following: por ahora for now por ejemplo for example por eso for that reason por favor please por fin at last, finally por lo general in general por lo menos at least

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