Por vs Para: For, By, Through - Choosing the Right One
Both can mean "for". Para looks forward to a goal: destination, purpose, recipient, deadline. Por looks back at a cause or the way: reason, route, exchange, means, rate.
The rule at a glance
para = what for? where to? · por = why? which way?
para: destination, purpose, recipient, deadline; por: route, exchange, reason, means
Para: destination, purpose
para Madrid · para + infinitive
towards · in order to
Salgo para Madrid para ver a mis abuelos.
I'm leaving for Madrid to see my grandparents.
Para: recipient
para ti
for you (it goes to you)
Este regalo es para ti.
This present is for you.
Por: route, exchange
por la playa · por 2 euros
along, through · in exchange for
Paseamos por la playa y compré un helado por dos euros.
We walked along the beach and I bought an ice cream for two euros.
Por: reason
por + cause
because of
No vine por el mal tiempo.
I didn't come because of the bad weather.
- Same "for", different meaning: Lo compré para ti (it's for you) but Lo hice por ti (for your sake, on your behalf).
- "Thanks for" is gracias por: Gracias por tu ayuda, never gracias para (gracias a = thanks to).
Video lesson
The core difference
Por and para are two of the most challenging Spanish prepositions for English speakers: both can translate as "for", yet they mean very different things. Think of por as looking backwards (the cause or reason) and para as looking forwards (the goal or destination). When in doubt, ask yourself: why? (por) or what for? (para).
| Por | Para | |
|---|---|---|
| Question it answers | Why? (reason, cause) · Which way? | What for? (purpose, goal) · Where to? |
| Looks | backwards, to the cause | forwards, to the goal |
| Example | Lo hice por ti I did it for you (for your sake) | Estudio para aprender I study in order to learn |
| The test | Estoy cansado por trabajar mucho I'm tired from working a lot | Trabajo para ganar dinero I work to earn money |
Fixed expressions
These common expressions are best memorised as fixed phrases.
Common por expressions
por favor (please)
por ejemplo (for example)
por fin (finally)
por supuesto (of course)
por lo menos (at least)
Common para expressions
para siempre (forever)
para nada (not at all)
estar para (to be about to; Spain usually says estar a punto de)
no es para tanto (it's not that bad)
When to use each
1. Por: reason or cause
Why something happens or why you do it.
No vine por el mal tiempo – I didn't come because of the bad weather
Lo hice por ti – I did it for your sake (motivation)
Estoy cansado por trabajar mucho – I'm tired from working a lot
2. Por: movement through or along
Caminamos por la playa – We walked along the beach
Pasamos por el centro – We passed through the town centre
3. Por: exchange, payment and support
When trading, paying, or substituting, always use por. Also "in favour of".
Pagué 50 euros por el libro – I paid 50 euros for the book
Cambié mi coche por uno nuevo – I exchanged my car for a new one
Voté por ese candidato – I voted for that candidate
4. Por: time of day, means and rough periods
In Spain, completed durations normally use no preposition or durante: Estudié tres horas or Estudié durante tres horas. In many Latin American varieties por is also used: Estudié por tres horas. In Spain por is normal with a rough or planned period.
por la mañana – during the morning
Hablamos por teléfono – We talked by phone
Me voy por unos días – I'm going away for a few days
5. Por: who did it, and "per"
In a passive sentence, por introduces who did the action. It also means "per".
Don Quijote fue escrito por Cervantes – Don Quixote was written by Cervantes
Gana quince euros por hora – She earns fifteen euros an hour
6. Para: destination
Where you are heading.
Salgo para Madrid mañana – I'm leaving for Madrid tomorrow
Salimos para el centro – We left for the town centre (destination)
7. Para + infinitive: purpose
"In order to".
Estudio para aprender – I study (in order) to learn
Trabajo para ganar dinero – I work to earn money
8. Para: recipient and employer
Este regalo es para ti – This gift is for you
Lo compré para ti – I bought it for you (recipient)
Trabajo para una empresa – I work for a company
9. Para: deadlines and opinions
Los deberes son para el lunes – The homework is for Monday
Lo necesito para las dos – I need it by two o'clock (deadline)
para mañana – by tomorrow
Para mí, es difícil – For me / In my opinion, it's difficult
Common mistakes
"Thanks for" is gracias por
Not this (incorrect): Gracias para tu ayuda
But this (correct): Gracias por tu ayuda. "Thanks for" something is gracias por, never gracias para. (Gracias a means "thanks to": gracias a ti, thanks to you.)
Destinations take para
Not this (incorrect): Salgo por Madrid mañana
But this (correct): Salgo para Madrid mañana. "Leave for" a place is para (the destination). Salgo por Madrid is valid Spanish, but it changes the meaning: "I go out in/around Madrid", not "I'm leaving for Madrid".
Recipients take para
Not this (incorrect): Este regalo es por ti
But this (correct): Este regalo es para ti. Use para for recipients. Este regalo es por ti would mean the present is because of you (for your sake).
Purpose takes para
Not this (incorrect): Estudio por aprender
But this (correct): Estudio para aprender. Use para + infinitive for purpose ("in order to").
Quick check
8 questions1. Complete: Gracias _____ tu ayuda.
'Thanks for' something is GRACIAS POR, never para. (Gracias a means 'thanks to'.)
2. Choose the correct option: Salgo _____ Barcelona mañana.
PARA is used for destinations (where you're going). POR would mean 'through' Barcelona.
3. Complete: El límite es de 120 kilómetros _____ hora.
POR means "per" in rates: 120 kilómetros por hora.
4. Which is correct: 'The homework is due by Friday'?
PARA is used for deadlines (by when something must be done). Por el viernes would mean "around Friday".
5. Complete: Este regalo es _____ ti.
PARA is used for recipients (who something is for). 'Lo hice POR ti' would mean 'for your sake'.
6. Choose: 'I work for a company'
PARA is used for employment (who you work for). POR would imply 'on behalf of'.
7. Complete: Caminamos _____ el parque.
POR is used for movement through or along a place. PARA would mean 'towards' as a destination.
8. Choose: 'I study in order to learn'
PARA + infinitive expresses purpose ('in order to'). POR would indicate cause/reason.
Choose por or para for each sentence. More practice: preposition exercises.
Going further
Expressing duration: Spain vs Latin America
Expressing duration: Spain vs Latin America
In Spain, completed durations normally use no preposition or durante: Estudié tres horas or Estudié durante tres horas (I studied for three hours). In many Latin American varieties, por is also used: Estudié por tres horas. Don't confuse duration with a deadline: para el lunes = by Monday, and Lo necesito para las dos = I need it by two o'clock.
In depth: Por vs para in real contexts: travel, work & daily life →