Por and para

De Tomísimo

For those who are beginning to learn Spanish, the differences between the prepositions por and para can be subtle and disconcerting because both are often translated for. Here is a list comparing the usage of por and para.

Uses of por

Length of time

Lo hice por dos semanas. - I did it for two weeks.

To send for someone, to go for someone

Envié por el encargado. - I sent for the person in charge.

Fui por el médico. - I went for the doctor, I went to get the doctor.

Exchanging or buying something

Te daré dos dólares por tu bicicleta. - I'll give you two dollars for your bike.

¿Por qué - Why?

¿Por qué compraste tanta madera?. - Why did you buy so much wood?

Authorship

Este libro fue escrito por Juan. - This book was written by Juan.

Means, method

Envía esta carta por avión. - Send this letter by airmail.

On behalf of, for someone's sake

Lo hice por tí. - I did it for you, I did it on your behalf, I did it for your sake.

By, Along, Along the edge of

Caminamos por la orilla del río. - We walked along the edge of the river.

Through

Caminamos por el bosque. - We walked through the forest.

Because of

Huyeron por miedo a las autoridades. - They fled because they were afraid of the authorities.

Per, A

Come una manzana por día. - Ean an apple a day, Eat one apple per day.

To fight for

Ella luchaba por su derecho de hablar. - She fought for her right to speak.

To ask for someone, To ask about someone

Si vas a Puebla, preguntas por mi tía. - If you go to Puebla, as for my aunt.

Uses of para

Para con + alguien - toward, to

El es muy bueno para con nosotros. - He is very nice to us.

Estar para + infinitive - to be about to

El autobús está para salir. - The bus is about to leave.

Para mí - in my opinion, for my part

Para mí que está roto. - I'd say it's broken.

Para que - so, so that, in order that

Hay que conectar el refri para que se enfríe. - You have to plug in the fridge so it will cool down.

¿Para qué? - What for?

¿Para qué compraste la madera. - What did you buy the wood for?.

Para ser - in spite of being, for being, for a

Habla bien el español para ser americano. - He speaks Spanish well for an American.

Para siempre - forever

Te amaré para siempre. - I will love you forever.

Destination

En la noche salgo para Guadalajara. - I'm leaving for Guadalajara tonight.

Purpose

Hago ejercicio para hacerme más fuerte. - I exercise to get stronger.

Intended for, purpose

Este libro es para Leonardo. - This book is for Leonard.

Una taza para café. - A coffee cup.

Reference a future time

Esto es para la semana que entra. - This is for next week.

To work for

Yo trabajo para Microsoft. - I work for Microsoft.