The prepositions por and para are often confused. In many cases both words can be translated as for. Yet there are important differences! In this article you can learn how to use these Spanish prepositions in the right way.
Por
Below a summary of cases where por is used...
A reason or cause:
- ¿Por qué lo hiciste?
Why did you do that? - Llegué tarde por el tráfico.
I arrived late due to the traffic. - No quiero quedar en casa. Por eso voy a la ciudad.
I don't want to stay at home. Therefor I'll go into town.
A period of time:
- Estudié español por tres meses.
I studied Spanish for three months.
An undetermined or general time:
- Nos vemos mañana por la tarde.
We see each other tomorrow in the afternoon.
In the area of, near, through or by:
- Hay muchos turistas por aquí.
There are many tourists around here. - Anduve por las calles del Albaicín.
I walked through the streets of Albaicín. - Vamos a Granada por Jaén.
We go to Granada by Jaén.
Per and percentages:
- Me pagan por hora.
They pay me per hour. - Ciento por ciento.
Hundred percent.
Exchange or sales:
- Compré este coche por mil euros.
I bought this car for thousand euros. - Quiero cambiarlo por otro.
I want to change it for another one.
Below some idioms with por:
- por favor
please - por supuesto
of course - por si acaso
in case - por Díos
for God's sake
Para
Below a summary of cases where para is used...
To show the purpose of something:
- En este sitio hay mucha información para aprender español.
On this site is much information for learning Spanish. - ¿Para qué necesitas el cuchillo?
What do you need the knife for? - Lo necesito para cortar la carne.
I need it to cut the meat.
To express a destination or recipient:
- Salimos para Bolivia la semana que viene.
We leave for Bolivia next week. - Este regalo es para Rafa.
This present is for Rafa.
To express a time limit or dead line:
- Necesito el artículo para el lunes.
I need the article by monday. - para siempre
forever
To work for:
- Mi primo trabaja para el gobierno.
My cousin works for the government.
Por versus para
Yet some other examples to show the difference between por and para: