Spanish grammar
Por vs para: how to choose
Both can translate as for, which is why they are confusing. Think of para as pointing forward at a goal, and por as looking back at a cause or passing through.
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Spanish · lesson preview
Step 4¿Dónde está la estación?
Where is the station?
- Order
- Translate
- Listen
- Speak
Say it out loud. Green landed, yellow was close.
Start freeUse para for goals and targets
- Purpose, in order to: Estudio para ser médico.
- Recipient: Este regalo es para ti.
- Destination: Salgo para Madrid mañana.
- Deadline: Necesito el informe para el viernes.
- Opinion: Para mí, es fácil.
Use por for reasons and ways through
- Cause or reason: Gracias por tu ayuda.
- Exchange: Pagué diez euros por el libro.
- Movement through or along: Camino por el parque.
- Duration or time of day: Estudié por dos horas. Trabajo por la mañana.
- By means of: Hablamos por teléfono.
- On someone's behalf: Lo hice por ti.
Examples you can play
| Meaning · why | Spanish |
|---|---|
| I study to become a doctor. · para: purpose | Estudio para ser médico. |
| This gift is for you. · para: recipient | Este regalo es para ti. |
| Thank you for your help. · por: cause of thanks | Gracias por tu ayuda. |
| I paid ten euros for the book. · por: exchange | Pagué diez euros por el libro. |
| I walk through the park. · por: movement through | Camino por el parque. |
| I leave for Madrid tomorrow. · para: destination | Salgo para Madrid mañana. |
| I need the report by Friday. · para: deadline | Necesito el informe para el viernes. |
| We talk by phone. · por: means | Hablamos por teléfono. |
Mistakes to avoid
- Translating every English for as por. Ask whether it means in order to or toward; if yes, use para.
- Using para for duration. Say por dos horas, not para dos horas, for how long something lasted.
- Mixing a deadline with a period. Para el viernes is by Friday; por la mañana is in the morning.
More on learning Spanish: start Spanish free.
What is the quickest way to tell por and para apart?
Para looks ahead at a goal, recipient or deadline. Por looks back at a cause, an exchange, or the route something takes.
Is gracias por or gracias para correct?
Gracias por is correct: you thank someone because of something.
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