- Understand the fundamental difference between por (reason/cause/exchange) and para (purpose/destination/deadline)
- Learn 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
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PrepositionsIntermediate
Por vs Para: For, By, Through - Choosing the Right One
Master the difference between these two essential Spanish prepositions
What You'll Learn
Overview
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.
Por = Why? (Reason/Cause)
Lo hice por ti
"I did it for you (because of you)"
Reason, motivation, cause
Para = What for? (Purpose/Goal)
Estudio para aprender
"I study in order to learn"
Purpose (in order to), 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
Use por for reasons, causes, duration, movement through, exchange, and means.
Duration of time
Estudié por tres horas
I studied for three hours
Movement through/along
Caminamos por la playa
We walked along the beach
Reason or cause
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
Hablamos por teléfono
We talked by phone
On behalf of
Voté por ese candidato
I voted for that candidate
When to Use PARA
Use para for destinations, purposes, recipients, deadlines, and comparisons.
Destination
Salgo para Madrid mañana
I'm leaving for Madrid tomorrow
Purpose or goal
Estudio para aprender
I study (in order) to learn
Recipient
Este regalo es para ti
This gift is for you
Deadline
La tarea es para el lunes
The homework is for Monday
Comparison/opinion
Para mí, es difícil
For me / In my opinion, it's difficult
Employment
Trabajo para una empresa
I work for a company
Fixed Expressions
These common expressions should be 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)
- no es para tanto (it's not that bad)
Examples
POR Examples (Reason/Cause)
Duration
Estudié por tres horas
I studied for three hours
Movement
Caminamos por la playa
We walked along the beach
Reason
No vine por el mal tiempo
I didn't come because of the bad weather
Exchange
Pagué 50 euros por el libro
I paid 50 euros for the book
Means
Hablamos por teléfono
We talked by phone
On behalf
Voté por ese candidato
I voted for that candidate
PARA Examples (Purpose/Goal)
Destination
Salgo para Madrid mañana
I'm leaving for Madrid tomorrow
Purpose
Estudio para aprender
I study (in order) to learn
Recipient
Este regalo es para ti
This gift is for you
Deadline
La tarea es para el lunes
The homework is for Monday
Opinion
Para mí, es difícil
For me, it's difficult
Employment
Trabajo para una empresa
I work for a company
Same Sentence, Different Meaning
POR
Lo hice por ti
I did it because of you (motivation)
PARA
Lo compré para ti
I bought it for you (recipient)
POR
Trabajé por dos horas
I worked for two hours (duration)
PARA
Es para las dos
It's due by 2pm (deadline)
POR
Pasamos por el centro
We passed through downtown
PARA
Salimos para el centro
We left for downtown (destination)
📖Want to go deeper?
We have an in-depth article that explores this topic further:
Common Mistakes
Common Por vs Para Mistakes
Wrong: Gracias para tu ayuda
Correct: Gracias POR tu ayuda
"Gracias" ALWAYS uses POR, never PARA - this is a fixed expression
Wrong: Voy por Madrid
Correct: Voy PARA Madrid
Use PARA for destinations (where you're going). POR would mean "through Madrid"
Wrong: Este regalo es por ti
Correct: Este regalo es PARA ti
Use PARA for recipients. POR would mean "because of you"
Wrong: Estudio por aprender
Correct: Estudio PARA aprender
Use PARA + infinitive for purpose ("in order to")
The "Why vs What For" Test
Ask yourself this question to choose the right preposition:
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
Time Expressions: Duration vs Deadline
POR = Duration/Period
por la mañana
during the morning
PARA = Deadline
para mañana
by tomorrow
Exchange/Payment = POR
When trading, paying, or substituting, always use POR:
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
Quick Test
Test your knowledge of por vs para:
1. Complete: Gracias _____ tu ayuda.
Apor
Bpara
2. Choose the correct option: Salgo _____ Barcelona mañana.
Apor
Bpara
3. Complete: Estudié _____ tres horas.
Apor
Bpara
4. Which is correct: 'The homework is due by Friday'?
ALa tarea es por el viernes
BLa tarea es para el viernes
5. Complete: Este regalo es _____ ti.
Apor
Bpara
6. Choose: 'I work for a company'
ATrabajo por una empresa
BTrabajo para una empresa
7. Complete: Caminamos _____ el parque.
Apor
Bpara
8. Choose: 'I study in order to learn'
AEstudio por aprender
BEstudio para aprender
Want more practice? Try our interactive fill-in-the-blank exercises to master por vs para in context!