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: 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
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.
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.
Para Para is used in some set phrases such as the following: para siempreforever ¿para qué?what for? para esofor that (sarcastically) no ser para tantonot to be a big deal sin qué ni para quéwithout rhyme or reason
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
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. Were going to take a walk through the park during the afternoon. Were going to be in Cancún for two weeks. I study Spanish because of a love for the language.
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 cant go to the meeting, Ill go in your place. I paid ten dollars for the Óscar de León CD. I always send my letters by air mail. Were going to travel by train.
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 Bolívars tomb in downtown Caracas. The speed limit is 70 miles per hour.
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. Ill go for the doctor. I have two projects yet to be finished. That remains to be seen.
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 ejemplofor example por ahorafor now por Dios for Gods (goodness ) sake por casualidad by chance
Por Por is also used in a large number of set phrases such as the following: por finat last, finally por lo generalin general por favor please por eso therefore, for that reason por el bien de alguienfor someones good por lo menos at least
Por por nada youre welcome por medio de by means of por más que... no matter how much... por si acasojust 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 últimofinally
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