Por vs Para Spanish Grammar | Complete Guide with Examples

What You'll Learn

Understand the fundamental difference between por (reason/cause/exchange) and para (purpose/destination/deadline)
Master when to use por for duration, movement through space, and exchange
Know when to use para for recipients, destinations, and deadlines
Recognise common preposition expressions with por and para
Apply the "why vs what for" test to choose the correct preposition
Avoid common mistakes like using para for "gracias" or por for destinations

Overview / Usage

Por and para are two of the most challenging Spanish prepositions for English speakers because both can translate to "for" in English, yet they have very different meanings and uses in Spanish.

🎯 The Core Difference

Por = Why? (Reason/Cause)

Lo hice por ti

"I did it for you (because of you)"

Reason, motivation, cause

Para = What for? (Purpose/Goal)

Lo hice para ti

"I did it for you (for your benefit)"

Purpose, destination, recipient

Think of por as looking backwards (the cause/reason) and para as looking forwards (the goal/destination).

Structure & Formation

📙 When to Use POR

Main Uses of Por:

Duration of time

Estudié por tres horas

I studied for three hours

Movement through/along/by

Caminamos por la playa

We walked along the beach

Reason or cause (because of)

No vine por el mal tiempo

I didn't come because of the bad weather

Exchange or substitution

Pagué 50 euros por el libro

I paid 50 euros for the book

Means or manner (by/via)

Hablamos por teléfono

We talked by phone

On behalf of / in favor of

Voté por ese candidato

I voted for that candidate

📘 When to Use PARA

Main Uses of Para:

Destination (to/toward)

Salgo para Madrid mañana

I'm leaving for Madrid tomorrow

Purpose or goal (in order to)

Estudio para aprender

I study (in order) to learn

Recipient (for someone)

Este regalo es para ti

This gift is for you

Deadline (by a certain time)

La tarea es para el lunes

The homework is for Monday

Comparison or opinion

Para mí, es difícil

For me / In my opinion, it's difficult

Employment or purpose of object

Trabajo para una empresa

I work for a company

💡 Fixed Expressions

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)
no es para tanto (it's not that bad)

Examples

🎯 Direct Comparisons

See how the same situation changes meaning with por vs para:

Example 1: "For" with Time

POR = Duration

Trabajé por dos horas

I worked for two hours

Length of time elapsed

PARA = Deadline

Es para las dos

It's for two o'clock (due by 2pm)

Time by which something must be done

Example 2: Movement

POR = Through/Along

Pasamos por el centro

We passed through downtown

Movement through a place

PARA = Toward (destination)

Salimos para el centro

We left for downtown

Destination/goal of movement

Example 3: "For" with People

POR = Because of

Lo hice por ti

I did it for you (because of you)

Motivation/reason

PARA = For the benefit of

Lo compré para ti

I bought it for you (for your use)

Recipient/beneficiary

Gotchas / Common Mistakes

❌ Always POR, Never PARA!

Gracias always uses POR:

✗ Wrong:

Gracias para tu ayuda

✓ Correct:

Gracias por tu ayuda

Thanks for your help

⚠️ Destination = PARA!

Use PARA for destination (where you're going):

✗ Wrong:

Voy por Madrid

✓ Correct:

Voy para Madrid

I'm going to Madrid

💡 The "Why vs What For" Test

Ask yourself:

WHY? (reason) = POR

Estoy cansado por trabajar mucho

I'm tired from working a lot

WHAT FOR? (purpose) = PARA

Trabajo para ganar dinero

I work to earn money

🔍 Exchange = POR

When trading/exchanging, use POR:

Cambié mi coche por uno nuevo

I exchanged my car for a new one

Pagué 100 euros por esto

I paid 100 euros for this

📝 In Order To = PARA

PARA + infinitive = in order to:

Estudio para ser médico

I study (in order) to be a doctor

Ahorro dinero para comprar una casa

I save money (in order) to buy a house

⏰ Time Expressions

Different meanings with time:

POR = during/for (duration):

por la mañana (during the morning)

PARA = by (deadline):

para mañana (by tomorrow)

Quick Test / Mini Quiz

Useful Resources

Coming soon...

Por vs Para: When to Use Each