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A more Detailed look at Por and Para

Sample uses of Por: "Motion"

Sample uses of Para: "Destination"

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Both por and para can both be translated often as the English preposition "For".

In fact, originally Por and Para came from the same Latin word "pro". Pro later split into por and por a which eventually became por and para respectively.

Por and Para evolved in a different direction and each has a wide range of meaning that contrasts with the other.

For example, if you want to order a bottle of wine for your friend at a restaurant, you must be sure to say, Quiero una botella de vino para mi amiga. Why?

Because if you say, Quiero una botella de vino por mi amiga, you have just offered your friend to the waiter in exchange for a bottle of wine! So you can see that it is important to grasp the different uses of Por and Para!

Here are some guidelines that you can refer to when you aren't sure which to use. Use them as a reference when completing the homework.

Por (Movimiento) Para (Destino o Meta)

Reason, Impetu or cause:

  • Lo hizo por bueno
    • He did it for [the common] good.
  • Esto es por ti
    • This is because of/due to you [your fault].
  • Fui por agua
    • I went for [my motivating factor] water

including Instigating person agent or person

  • Lo hizo por ti.
    • He did it because of you/of what you did (you made him do it.
  • Fue construído por Mauricio Izquierdo
    • It was built by Mauricio Izquierdo.

End Goal (Purpose):

  • Estudia para ser médico.
    • He's studying to be (in order to be) a doctor.
  • Voy para aprender más
    • I'm going in order to learn more.
  • Fui para llenar el tanque.
    • I went to (in order to) put gas in the car

to indicate direction or path of movement:

  • Voy por Toledo
    • I going through or in the direction of Toledo
  • Voy por el norte.
    • I'm heading north

Physical Destination [You can often sustitute "hacia" for para]:

  • Voy para Toledo
    • I'm going to Toledo.

to indicate a Duration or Passage of time:

  • Será por agosto.
    • It will be in August, during August
  • María cantó por dos horas
    • María sang for two hours

Time Limit or Destination:

  • Voy para agosto
    • I'm going by August) (deadline)
  • El informe es para las cinco de la tarde.
    • The report is for (due by) 5pm.

 

substitution/exchange

  • Pago $25.00 por la novela
    • I pay $25.00 for the novel.
  • Doy el libro por el otro
    • I give this book for the other [book].
  • Trabajo por ella.
    • I'm working for her today (in her place.)

Recipient

  • Este regalo es para ti.
    • This gift is for you.
  • Trabajo para ella.
    • I work for her (she is my employer)

¿Por qué lo hiciste?

¿Para qué lo hiciste?

Why did you do it? [Motive, Cause]

What was your intension? [to what end? Purpose, Goal]

Regreso por agosto.

Regreso para agosto.

I'll return sometime in/during August.

I'll return by August.

Esto es por ti.

Esto es para ti.

This is because of you (your fault).

This is for you. [Destination, Recipient]

Visito por la Navidad.

Visito para la Navidad.

I'll visit during Christmas.

I'll visit by Christmas.