Para / Por Question

Question

Working through the exercise in the reference I was a bit puzzled by number 4;

4.Tuve que limpiar la cocina ___|\___|__ mi hermana porque ella es perezosa.

I thought para because mi hermana was the recipient of a favour, but the answer given was por. Is this because a reason was given?

Would it be clearer if the example read;

4.Tuve que limpiar la cocina ___|\___|__ mi hermana es perezosa.

or am I completely off track here'

Answer 1

No, your logic is fine regarding the use of the preposition (although your simplification aftewards is not). The problem is the exercise, because both "por" and "para" are correct here. "Por" here is interpreted as "instead of" (I cleaned it instead of her), whereas "para" would mean that it was your sister who wanted the kitchen clean for herself.

Answer 2

Thanks Lazarus; that explains it nicely. Looking back at my 'simplification' I guess that would only make sense if 'porque' was inserted, which defeats the object of the exercise!

Answer 3

This is great! I have avoided the "para" versus "por" dilemma while learning Spanish until now because I have read so often about how difficult it is for the English speakerto get them right. I figured that if I were to learn Spanish really well and listen a lot, the difference would just somehow fall into place on its own one day.

But the explanation to this query gives me confidence that maybe I can go ahead and tackle those exercises now!

Thanks for this important query, John Cass
Thanks for the response, Lazarus

Answer 4

Don't forget opinions. =) Para mi es cierto. Or something like that.
Oh, and standard. Like, for a horror movie this isn't all that scary. Para would be used in place of for in that sentence.

Answer 5

Thanks Christina and Fredbong - I like the idea of remembering when to use 'para' and then using 'por' everywhere else!