In Spanish, por and para are both prepositions that can often be translated as “for” in English, but they are used in different ways. Understanding the difference between por and para is key to using them correctly.
When to Use Por
Por is generally used to express:
- Reason or Cause (because of, due to)
- Movement through a place (along, through, by)
- Duration of time (for, during)
- Exchange or substitution (for, in exchange for)
- Means of communication or transportation (by, via)
- Multiplication and units (times, per)
- Agent in passive voice (by)
Examples of Por
| Spanish Example |
|---|
| Gracias por la ayuda. |
| English Example |
| Usage |
| Reason/Cause |
When to Use Para
Para is generally used to express:
- Purpose or goal (in order to, for)
- Recipient (for)
- Deadline or specific time (by, for)
- Destination (toward, for)
- Comparison (for, considering)
- Employment (for)
Examples of Para
| Spanish Example |
|---|
| Estudio para aprender. |
| English Example |
| Usage |
| Purpose |
Key Differences
Summary
- Use por to talk about reasons, movement through places, duration, exchanges, means, and agents.
- Use para to talk about purposes, recipients, deadlines, destinations, comparisons, and employment.
- Always think about whether the sentence is about the cause or the goal, the process or the outcome, the motive or the destination.
With practice, choosing between por and para will become more intuitive!
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Last updated: Thu Jul 17, 2025