1. Por vs. Para

2. Por vs. Para
Por and Para are generally translated as for, but they are NOT interchangeable.

3. Por vs. Para Para is used to indicate:
Destination (toward, in the direction of)
Salimos para Madrid el martes.
We’re leaving for Madrid on Tuesday.

4. Para is used to indicate:
Por vs. Para
Para is used to indicate:
Deadline (by, for)
Los proyectos son para viernes.
The projects are due by Friday.

5. Por vs. Para Para is used to indicate:
Purpose { + infinitive} (in order to)
{ + noun} (for, used for)
Estudiamos para sacar buenas notas.
We study in order to get good grades.
Compré un vestido nuevo para el baile formal.
I bought a new dress for the formal dance.

6. Por vs. Para Para is used to indicate:
4. Recipient (for) El regalo es para mi mejor amiga, Lupe. The gift is for my best friend, Lupe.

7. Por vs. Para Para is used to indicate:
Comparison or standard, opinion (for, considering)
Para un médico, él no puede leer los rayos equis.
For a doctor, he can’t read X-rays.
Para mí, una hora de estudiar no es suficiente.
For me, one hour of studying is not enough.

8. Por vs. Para Para is used to indicate:
Employment (for)
Ella trabaja para una compañía de diseño.
She works for a design company.

9. Para Expressions
no estar para bromas to be in no mood for (practical) jokes no ser para tanto to not be so important para colmo to top things off para que sepas just so you know para siempre forever

10. Por vs. Para Por is used to indicate:
Motion or General location (along, through, around, by)
Elena anda por el parque.
Elena is walking through the park.

11. Por vs. Para Por is used to indicate:
Duration (for, during, in)
La película siguió por dos horas más.
The movie continued for two more hours.

12. Por vs. Para Por is used to indicate:
Motive (because of, due to, on account of, on behalf of)
El avión nunca salió por la tormenta.
The plane never left due to the storm.

13. Por vs. Para Por is used to indicate:
4. Object of a search (for, in search of) Paso por ti mañana. I’ll come by for you tomorrow.

14. Por vs. Para Por is used to indicate:
5. Means by which/Movement(by, by way of, by means of) Hablamos por teléfono ayer. We talked by phone yesterday. Ellos viajan por tren hoy. They are traveling by train today.

15. Por vs. Para Por is used to indicate:
Exchange/Substitution (for, by, in exchange for)
Compraste el viaje por euros.
You bought the trip for 2,500€.
Seis dividido por tres son dos.
Six divided by three is two.

16. Por vs. Para Por is used to indicate:
Unit of measure (per, by)
El coche viajaba a 55 millas por hora.
The car was traveling at 55 miles per hour.

17. Por vs. Para Por is used to indicate:
Agent {passive voice}(by)
La novela, Don Quijote de la Mancha fue escrita por Miguel de Cervantes y Saavedra.
The novel, Don Quixote de la Mancha, was written by Miguel de Cervantes y Saavedra.

18. Por Expressions
por allí/aquí por lo general around there/here in general por casualidad por lo menos by chance/accident at least por ejemplo por lo tanto for example therefore por eso por lo visto therefore apparently por fin por más/mucho que finally no matter how much

19. Por expressions
por otro lado/otra parte on the other hand por primera vez for the first time por si acaso just in case por supuesto of course

20. Mnemonics for PARA:
Don’t Put Dishes in the Sink Ever! Destination Purpose Deadline Standard Employment

21. Mnemonics for POR:
My Mother Eats Pistachio Ice Cream During Summer Movement Motivation Emotion Passive voice Idioms Duration Substitution/Exchange