Por and para
The difference between por (cause, means, through) and para (purpose, destination, deadline).
para: purpose, destination, deadline
Para points forward, towards a goal or endpoint:
- purpose/use: Esto es para cortar pan.
- destination: Salgo para Madrid.
- deadline: Para el lunes.
- recipient: Este regalo es para ti.
- opinion: Para mí, es buena idea.
Examples
Estudio para aprobar el examen.I study to pass the exam.
El tren sale para Barcelona.The train leaves for Barcelona.
Necesito el informe para el viernes.I need the report by Friday.
Este café es para ti.This coffee is for you.
por: cause, duration, means, through, exchange
Por looks backward, towards the cause or the means:
- cause/reason: No fui por la lluvia.
- duration: Por dos horas.
- means: Por teléfono.
- through/along: Por el parque.
- exchange: Te doy 10 euros por el libro.
Examples
No fui a trabajar por la lluvia.I didn't go to work because of the rain.
Hablamos por teléfono cada semana.We talk by phone every week.
Caminamos por el parque.We walked through the park.
Compré este libro por diez euros.I bought this book for ten euros.
Por vs para side by side
Compare por (the reason, what came before) with para (the goal, what you want to achieve). The same verb can take either preposition, but the meaning changes.
| por (oorzaak/reden) | para (doel/bestemming) | |
|---|---|---|
| voorbeeld | Lo hago por ti (vanwege jou) | Lo hago para ti (het is voor jou bestemd) |
Examples
Trabajo por dinero.I work because of the money.
Trabajo para ganar dinero.I work in order to earn money.
Fixed expressions
Some expressions with por and para are best learned by heart:
- por favor, por fin, por supuesto, por ejemplo, por eso, por lo menos
- para siempre, para nada, para colmo
Examples
Por favor, cierra la puerta.Please close the door.
Por fin terminé el trabajo.I finally finished the work.
💡 Tips
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Rule of thumb: para = purpose/destination (where to, what for), por = cause/means (because of what, by what).
💡
Ask yourself: 'why?' (por) or 'what for/for whom?' (para).
💡
Learn the fixed expressions with por/para by heart, they don't always follow the logic.
🎯 Practise this topic with 10 interactive exercises (10)
← Estar + gerundMuy, mucho, tan, tanto →
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